Hundreds turn out to Tararua health meetings
Around 300 people packed into Tararua College in Pahiatua last night for the first of three public meetings about the crisis facing local health services.
The meeting followed the resignation of six Tararua Health Group staff on Monday, just days after staff warned that chronic understaffing was putting patient safety at risk.
Tonight, around 50 people attended the second public meeting in Woodville, a strong turnout for the small community.
Media have also been following the meetings, reporting on the concerns being raised by health workers and the response from local communities.
At both meetings, local people heard about what has been happening inside Tararua Health Group and had the opportunity to ask questions and talk about their own experiences of accessing healthcare in the region.
The turnout sends a pretty clear message - people in Tararua care deeply about what is happening to their local health services and they want answers about what happens next.
The final public meeting will be held in Dannevirke tomorrow night.
Dannevirke
Thursday 24 September, 6–7pm
Dannevirke Town Hall
156 High Street, Dannevirke
Kaitiaki Hauora has been calling for New Zealand to fund public health properly, honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and keep healthcare public.
What's happening in Tararua raises important questions about how essential health services are provided, who is accountable when those services aren't working for their communities, and how we ensure people can access safe healthcare wherever they live.
Tararua can't wait.
