There’s a disturbing move that may signal a radical reform in the way health services are delivered. Changes to the Waikato PHO Governance structure removing community and Maori representation did not appear to be a move towards, but rather a move away from the community.

If there is one thing we have learnt from the failed practice of the past, that is GP led services in and of themselves do not work. Rather GP services aligned with community providers open up a range of access points to healthcare for people from our community.
Access to good healthcare also requires continued emphasis on low cost GP visits. In the current economic environment many more families will require the Government to act on this front to keep GP visit costs low. We already know that more families are accessing help from food banks and that unemployment continues to grow. The Government cannot slide on a very well supported commitment of the Labour Government to ensure, extend and maintain low cost GP visits.
Then there is the targeted emphasis on delivering health outcomes for Maaori who are over represented in far too many negative health statistics for my liking. Those living in rural, provincial towns have less access to appropriate services so the effort that DHB’s put into contracting services through Maaori and community health providers are absolutely critical to achieving positive outcomes. This cannot be left to the “goodwill” of health boards and needs leadership from the Minister and it’s Government coalition partners. Already in the adolescent mental health services for the Waikato community providers have been shut out of the picture. I am informed that the recession has compounded pressure amongst families and individuals which can elevate mental health problems – so again there is a need in the community and those services need to be funded to respond appropriately. My sense is that they are providing a service on the limited funding they not receive and the DHB may well be free riding on the community outreach to these groups.
The Minister of Health appears to be supporting the changes promoted in PHO circles and that may well see less Maaori PHO’s in preference of a super PHO.  A watching brief on this one!