DHB demands assurances at final meeting
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
An assurance Ziman House at Reefton will not be permanently closed by the successor to the West Coast District Health Board has been affirmed by management after a final debate as the DHB wound up this week.
Veteran West Coast health advocate Peter Neame took the board's management to task, and eventually got an assurance when chairman Rick Barker stepped in, asking for a simple "yes or no" answer.
The board as superseded today by the rollout of the new Health NZ and Maori Health Authority. The West Coast, however, one of nine regions selected for a 'locality' pilot which means the community will be consulted on the shape of the new structure and West Coast-specific service delivery.
Neame, an elected board member and retired psychiatric nurse, launched into management at the start of the meeting.
He said the public perceived the DHB's stated plan to reopen the Reefton facility was not genuine.
"There's general perception by the public that there is no intention of this board or a future authority that it would reopen (Ziman House)," he said.
The argument by the board that staffing was behind the temporary closure of the facility was something he "never, ever accepted".
DHB general manager Phillip Wheble repeated that aged residential care on the West Coast was "significantly challenged" at present due to the national nursing shortage and that meant reopening Ziman House was also a challenge.
The issue of staffing was regardless of the mix of private and public aged residential care in the region, he said.
"We've got to look at how we can provide a sustainable service that provides the outcome we want."
Neame replied: "I'm only getting a bureaucratic answer".
Wheble repeated that the board needed to be "innovative".
It was at this stage Barker stepped in.
"Is there a commitment to reopen Ziman House -- yes or no? Let's hear it, without all of the other things," he said.
DHB chief executive Peter Bramley responded with a simple "yes".
Wheble said the full-time equivalent of 5.6 registered nursing staff would be needed for "hospital level care" based on eight patients at Reefton.
Bramley, just appointed as interim South Island manager for Health NZ, repeated his affirmation that the Reefton care facility would open again.
"There is absolute commitment that we reopen Ziman House," he said.
However, that was "on the proviso" of providing a safe level of nursing care.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.5% Yes
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46.5% No
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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