Health links need adjustment

The future of Rodney Health Link will be the subject of several meetings in the next few months as a result of the change in governance.

Rodney Health Link is an independent organisation that liaises with the Waitemata District Health Board and community health groups on a range of health issues. Part of its brief is to promote better health services for the region.

Rodney Health Link chair Bill Smith says currently the health links are based on the local authority boundaries, so changes may be in the wind.

He says there will be discussions with the other health links, in Waitakere and North Shore, and the Health Board, to decide what may happen after the change in governance.

He says it is unlikely there will be new health links formed, but some reorganisation may be called for.
“No matter what happens, we want to maintain a strong voice for Rodney,” Mr Smith says.

He says the Health Link’s priorities for the next few years in Rodney are to persuade the Health Board to provide support for the Rodney Surgical Centre in Warkworth, so that more minor operations can happen there. Rodney Health Link will also support the new hospital planned for Silverdale and push for better after hours care in the region.

Rodney Health Link is also facilitating meetings to give the community an opportunity to talk with candidates standing for election to the Health Board. The meeting takes place on September 15 at St John’s Church Hall, Centreway Road, Orewa.