Editorial: Pilot programme step in right direction

Linda Hall, assistant editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

I applaud the Hawke's Bay District Health Board for its pilot programme that will subsidise all under-18s in practices with high numbers of Maori and Pacific patients.

And before anyone gets on their high horse and claims it's "unfair" or worse "racist" let me just remind you that the public has been calling for something to be done about the gap between rich and poor and this is a huge step in the right direction.

Like it or not there are hundreds of families in Hawke's Bay who can't afford to take their children to the doctor.

I have faith in the HBDHB to identify those most in need - that's what they have done so let's support it.

If they decide the programme needs to be broadened in the future, that's a bonus.

This could well have far reaching benefits for these teenagers who either stay home and suffer because their parents can't afford to take them to the doctor or go to school feeling miserable and can't take anything in.

Then they fall behind and most likely end up leaving school under skilled.

Also teenagers being bullied and feeling depressed now have another avenue of help.

We need more programmes like this, anything that helps our youth become better and stronger people deserves our backing.

The other bonus is that this will hopefully take some of the pressure off the Emergency Department at Hawke's Bay Hospital so the people who need urgent help get it.