Rural healthcare needs urgent help from new Government – mayor

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Rural healthcare needs urgent attention from the incoming Government, says Hurunui mayor Marie Black.

A shortage of GPs and health workers in the Hurunui district is a growing concern, she said.

The National Party campaigned on a promise to establish a third medical school with a rural focus at Waikato University.

Recruiting GPs, nurses and support workers to work in rural communities has been a major challenge in recent years.

Black, who previously worked as a Plunket health worker in the region, said the demographics of the Hurunui district provided both challenges and opportunities.

There was no public transport in the district, while an ageing population meant more than 25% of the population was expected to be over 65 by 2051.

Young people had to sit driving tests in Rangiora, which meant travelling to medical appointments could be a challenge for young and old.

More retirement villages were being proposed for Amberley to support the ageing population, which meant retaining and attracting GPs, nurses and support workers was vital, she said.

Black suggested medical students could be bonded to work in rural communities after they graduate, with part or all of their student loan wiped.

‘‘They used to do that with teachers, so perhaps we could look at that with medical students.

‘‘We will keep a watching brief as the new government is formed. It will be interesting to see where it lands.’’

She said living and working in the Hurunui also provided opportunities with the rural lifestyle.

There was a desire to give back and look for community-led solutions, she said.

An example of this was the Hawarden-Waikari Community Vehicle Trust, which provided transport to medical appointments.

Of the district's five health centres, four were community owned and ratepayer funded.

Black hosted a group of third year Otago Medical School students in August to give them a rural perspective on healthcare.

‘‘It was surprising how little they knew about living in a rural area.’’

The initiative has been running for 10 years, with the students visiting medical centres, St John, the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust and a local preschool.

The Kaikōura district faced similar challenges, with its over 65 population also expected to increase to 25% over the next 30 years.

Takahanga Marae hosted 13 tertiary health students from around Aotearoa in June on a three-day Noho Marae visit.

The initiative was a partnership between Te Tai o Marokura, a Maori health and social service provider in Kaikōura, and Hauora Taiwhenua / Rural Health Network’s careers programme.

Lisa Kahu, of Te Tai o Marokura, said the initiative had been running for several years to encourage young doctors, nurses and dentists to work in rural communities.

■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.