New specialists welcomed

Jen Thomas (left), Dargaville/Kawakawa Hospital operations manager, Dr Miriam Duffy, Dr Sarah Clarke and Karen Katipa, clinical nurse manager, general ward Dargaville Hospital, at the welcoming for new doctors at Dargaville Hospital. Photo / Supplied

Four medicine specialists have started work at Dargaville Hospital, with video conferencing technology used in their formal welcome, paid for by the Kaipara community.

Northland DHB has taken back the responsibility for medical staffing of the hospital, and last week welcomed three out of the four new doctors who will be on rotation.

"Northland DHB has made a commitment to retain medical services close to home for the people of the Kaipara," said Jen Thomas, operations manager at Dargaville Hospital.

"These four highly trained doctors are going to ensure our community receives a safe and sustainable hospital service."

Being a part of the community is an important aspect of country life and the doctors were encouraged to get involved.

"The Dargaville community is very passionate about retaining and enhancing health services locally and will support the new residents in any way we can," Debbie Evans, chief executive of Kaipara Community Health Trust, said.

Kaitaia Hospital clinical leader Dr Sarah Clarke will provide professional support for the recruits, including her partner Dr Scott Wilson who is moving from Ashburton. Dr Wilson is on the board of the Rural Hospital Training Programme and an executive member of the Rural Hospital Network.

He welcomed those joining via video conference. "I have been touched with how Maori culture permeates throughout everything we do in Northland from our home to our work, and after my first visit I realised what an incredible opportunity this is," Dr Wilson said.

He will be sharing his time between Kaitaia and Dargaville hospitals and will start in November.

Another of the new doctors is Dr Miriam Duffy, who came from Ireland to New Zealand in 2004. After spending one year each at Whangarei and Dargaville hospitals, she is now on rotation in Dargaville.

"I've just finished my first week in Dargaville, and I'm excited to be a part of the service Dargaville Hospital provides to the community," she said.

Operations manager of Kaitaia Hospital Neta Smith also attended via video conference and noted: "We have the best rural trained specialists in the country and our district hospitals in Northland support each other, which adds to the delivery of services locally, be that in Kaitaia or Dargaville."