Letters 25 August
After-hours medical care
I am a mum of four boys; all are very healthy. I have only had to phone an after-hours doctor a handful of times over the past nine years. On Tuesday night at about 6.15pm my two-year-old woke up crying and continued to cry until 6.40pm, the crying increasing with pain. We could not calm him, he was beside himself, we could not talk to him, touch him, he wouldn’t drink. Nothing was working.
I phoned the doctor’s number and after waiting for 12 minutes, a lady with a foreign accent answered the phone. I couldn’t understand her and she couldn’t understand me; she still thinks I have a daughter! After telling her we couldn’t get near him she asked me if I could strip her off and check for any rash, swelling, sore this, sore that. She told me we had to “self-diagnose him before she called a doctor”. I told her very nicely I need a doctor, she replied with “has he eaten today, has he drank today, has he had a fall today?”. By this time my two-year-old was screaming and his mum needed the doctor too. I told her I need a doctor please. She then tried to take my details which I had to spell out to her twice and she said “leave it with me, someone will be in touch”. At 7.20pm, 40 minutes later, a very nice nurse from the Golden Bay hospital phoned to see how things were and informed me she was having trouble getting hold of a doctor, but one would ring me. When? No one could tell me.
Maybe next time I will just ring 111. At least I would have professional people in my home.
Just to finish, there are five or six doctors in the Bay and on Tuesday night they must have all been very busy because it is now 9.15am Wednesday morning and I still have not heard from a doctor. I am very lucky it was not serious. But what should I do next time?
Kylee Reynish
Integrated family health centre
Comments by Chris Mitson on behalf of the Joan Whiting Rest Home trustees (The Nelson Mail) make very sad reading.
Having examined the preliminary plans and compared the rest-home room sizes with bedrooms in my own new home I conclude that they are quite generous. The 15.3m2 rooms compare favourably with most rest homes and the views from the windows are not onto a brick wall.
There seems to be a determination on the part of the current trustees and some staff to demand a Rolls Royce version that we cannot afford. Compromise seems out of the question to the trustees, so I assume they have an agenda to perhaps keep the Joan Whiting Rest Home where it is, but when it come to long-term financial viability it does not stack up. For the last 20 years we’ve staggered from crisis to crisis over funding.
Golden Bay residents could well lose the rest home facility altogether, which would be a tragedy. The Interim Management Group has arrived at a good integrated plan for health care in Golden Bay and deserve wholehearted support from Golden Bay residents who are not being well served by the intransigence of the Joan Whiting Rest Home trustees.
Alan Vaughan
For once I find myself agreeing with Victoria Davis when she wrote (The GB Weekly 12/8) that a “self-appointed group” appears to be “pushing its limited views” onto the Golden Bay public. It seems that her group, which put an advert in the same edition and is promoting a petition, exactly fits her description!
River Howe
I cannot understand why dissenters are objecting to the adapted size of the bedrooms for elderly people, many of whom are disabled and cannot move around freely. Our master bedroom is 3.5m x 3.9m and in it is a queen-size bed, two dressing tables, a rocking chair, bedside table and bookcase and there is still space to move about.
Surely residents are only in there to sleep or maybe sit in a chair, not have a ball. What is the matter with having one ensuite to two bedrooms? It could be connected to both rooms. I bet in the majority of cases it is more than they’d have had at home. Why the need for such luxury?
At Whaearama our mother had a very single room and one toilet and bathroom to a wing. She was very happy there. Why can’t people be thankful that there is somewhere for their parents to go to be cared for in comfort in their old age and not have to have them in their own homes. For goodness’ sake, let them get on with it. If Joan Whiting trustees don’t like it, their residents will have to go over the Hill.
Dorothea Scott
There has been some comment about who paid for the ad inserted by the Joan Whiting Board of Trustees last week. For the record, the Joan Whiting trustees put their hands in their pockets and are paying for the ad themselves.
Christopher Mitson, chair, Joan Whiting trustees
We are distressed that the whole issue of the new integrated health amenity is dividing our community. Debate is good and necessary in ensuring community facilities such as this progress. There shouldn’t be any “sides” in this debate. Along the way there will inevitably be compromises to fit with time and budget constraints. There appears to us to have been both fault and righteousness from each side of this unfortunate struggle, which is very sad considering all of us would like this facility to work for us now, and well into the future, providing a secure and safe place within Golden Bay for our elderly, our sick, and our families and friends who support us.
Should this dissention continue much longer, we will be in danger of losing the rest-home component altogether as costs spiral daily. Why can’t everyone involved take a step back, admit their failings and move on with healthy debate and compromise to achieve the best possible outcome for everyone?
Jenny and Geoff Heath
Congratulations to your submitters last week. Such a refreshing change to hear from the silent majority instead of the vocal minority. Negative thinking creates absolutely nothing and hats off to those who live in the real world with positive, go-ahead, futuristic thinking.
Also a bouquet to the IMG. Such a massive undertaking to get the proposal to this stage.
Joan Whiting trustees, I think, have committed political suicide for the decision they have taken, but here again are a few making decisions for many. Put your toys back in the box and join us real people to make sure your elderly are taken good care of in Golden Bay. I have nothing but admiration for all staff at the community hospital and I’m sure they will carry on the excellent care already being afforded to the current residents.
Gary Clough
It is sad, frustrating and confusing reading and listening to the endless media reports on the future of the Joan Whiting Rest Home for our oldies.
Our governments seem to find the funds for all sorts of BS, including flash vehicles, fat salaries and overseas travel for themselves, yet can’t find the funds to look after our elders.
Golden Bay is a pretty unique place and we seem to come up with some pretty unique ideas that make the Bay special. Our geographical location is also unique, with the Takaka Hill providing the only vehicle access to the Bay.
Maybe our community should investigate the possibility of putting a three-lane toll both on the top of the Takaka Hill? One lane for commercial vehicles, one lane for private vehicles and one lane for campervans, caravans and motor homes. Commercial vehicles toll-free. Campervans, caravans and motorhomes a toll payment to fund the cleanup and toilet facilities at problem freedom-camping areas. Private vehicles a gold-coin toll payment each way with the funds generated going to help the Joan Whiting Rest Home survive. A manned toll booth at the top of the hill could also provide plenty of other opportunities and help for users of the Takaka Hill road.
It would be interesting to hear others’ opinions of this idea?
Matt (Hika) Rountree
I was saddened to read of a deceased resident being used for points scoring in the Golden Bay Integrated Health issue. (Re 18/8 “Opinion” article in The Nelson Mail from the chairperson of Joan Whiting Rest Home).
This woman was awarded a QSM for her work in and with the Golden Bay community. She worked with people and groups delivering services that created community, not division, much of this emergency health-related.
Yes, she had a strong and independent personality, very able to speak for herself and had agreed to be a patron of the new Integrated Health Services.
It is my understanding that all service sectors have needed to compromise in the configuration of rooms in the new facility to enable us all to have an updated, improved, more sustainable health service into the future. Come on Golden Bay, secure our health services, get behind this, make it happen, and make it work.
Sheryl Nalder
I don’t often find myself agreeing with Victoria Davis but in regards to the IMG, I’m behind her all the way.
Working in the supermarket I hear a lot of people talking and the majority are against. I went to meetings and felt we were being railroaded. Well it’s time IMG start listening to the Golden Bay public and listen to what we want and can afford. My question has still not been answered. Are we to see the elderly on motorised scooters going up the main highway to see a doctor? There is no taxi, Wrinklies Bus has already said they struggle to get drivers.
A lot of us have already put a lot of money into the medical centre and since all the changes it is going backwards. We have lost a great doctor and x-ray service which he and the community funded. I have heard of people going over the Hill to see a doctor because they are really sick and can’t see a doctor here for days. As we know Joan Whiting has pulled out. So, sign the petition and don’t be pushed into something we can’t afford nor want.
Karen McCleely
In every situation there are always extremes. Extreme ‘A’ would have infinite resources to build the ultimate health facility in exactly the right place. Extreme “Z” would continue exactly as we are, with Joan Whiting closing and gradual rundown of the other facilities. There is always middle ground “M” where logic and rationality bring together the limited funds to gain maximum benefit for the community.
Everyone would like to have option “A”. One group realised that it was an impossible dream and moved towards “M”, consulting widely and planning to use limited potential resources to the best of its ability to obtain the best attainable result for the community. Another group seems totally stuck on achieving ”A” with little, if any, movement towards “M”.
Unfortunately history shows that the inevitable outcome of the latter course is “Z”. Unless people are prepared to compromise towards the best possible outcome then we will gain nothing and indeed may lose all.
I have faith that the IMG is doing the best possible. If we all supported and trusted them, and stopped wasting their energy and resources in fighting, then perhaps the outcome would be nearer to the ultimate that all groups desire.
River Howe
The IMG paints a dire picture of our future regarding retaining medical staff, but they ignore the fact that Golden Bay is a most desirable place to live. There is no need to frighten people into submission, as a poorly equipped, cramped institution may not in fact attract staff as insinuated. It did not work for Greymouth.
I asked the CEO of the PHO two weeks ago if he had made any attempt to replace me (resident, on-call radiographer) and the answer was no. He is happy with bringing a radiographer over the hill periodically, but he does not live here, and that sounds wasteful spending on travel time instead of the x-ray service. New Zealand presently has an excess of radiographers, and one may enjoy working here as I did for over 20 years.
He told me that our present community-funded x-ray facility will not be included in the new plans because there is not enough room. A brand-new but smaller, much less capable machine, is planned for the new institution.
The cost is now up to $6.9m and the plans have shrunk as well as some services. Concerned? Petitions are available at the Wholemeal and library.
Victoria Davis
With all the accusations and refutations it seems we are in a verbal battle zone in Golden Bay. I was disappointed my chosen retirement rest home was to be closed for lack of money. And I was also disappointed the new hospital was not to be built where I thought it should be, close to the high school. But I was even more disappointed with the behaviour of some of the critics of the IMG.
Sure, we would all like the Rolls Royce of medical services, but the fact remains it all has to be paid for somehow by someone. There are changes afoot and we’re not going to like some of them. We got a respite for Joan Whiting and I believe the residents will be extremely well catered for in their new environment. My mother was in the hospital for 18 months and she could not have wished for better treatment or a more caring environment. Screw that petition up and biff it where it belongs, in the trash.
Tony Sandall
Gibbs Hill Challenge
Congratulations on your front page coverage of the Gibbs Hill Challenge (GBW 19/8). Congratulations to all who took part, old and young. Wonderful to see so many family teams and older folk giving it a go.
To the organisers also well done. Clearly now a well- established Golden Bay event.
However, your photo was a beauty and many may have recognised the old fitness freak from Parapara, Frank Johansson (centre rear), in the lineup. At 75, Frank is still footing it regularly on the road and on the track. Great to see you out there Frank; you’re a remarkable role model for all of us, young and old. Special congratulations!
I think it was Frank who once said to me, “Old builders never die; they just keep banging on!”
Best wishes to all of our sportsmen and athletes in the coming season.
Graeme Wilson
Wanaka Mountain Film Festival
Thanks to all those who filled the Village Theatre and enjoyed the award-winning films from the Wanaka Mountain Film Festival. More than $700 has been raised towards cycle track-building in Golden Bay.
There has been so much demand for seats that we’ll have another screening, probably in late October or early November. Date to be arranged and advertised. Those who put their names on the list will be contacted.
Beth Burdett
Ecofest in Golden Bay
A big thank you to everyone involved in Ecofest events here in the Bay and in Nelson. In particular I’d like to thank Wayne from the Wholemeal Café, Laurence Boomert, Charlotte Squire, GB Community Organic Gardens, and Sol Morgan, The GB Weekly, Civil Defence, Helen Mead for the movie running, and the cooking competition judges – Kris Faulkner, Martine Bouillir and Wayne Green. Everyone’s generous contributions of their time, enthusiasm and skills meant lots of opportunities for learning, growing ideas and having a bit of fun too. To everyone who participated in one or more events – we hope you enjoyed it and learnt something. Thank you for being involved.
The weekend expo in Nelson was also a big success and it was lovely to see some Golden Bay faces there too.
Also congratulations to Josh Henderson from Collingwood Area School – his entry of the “Band Hat” was the winner of the Best Hat Trophy as part of the Funky fashion Show at Ecofest. Thank you all,
Claire Webster,
Environmental Educator - Golden Bay
