A new proposal could see education and health come together on campus at Northland's largest tertiary provider.
NorthTec has formed a consortium with Raumanga Medical Centre, Otaika Pharmacy, Manaia Primary Health Organisation and Northland DHB and the organisations were looking to attract a developer keen to build an integrated healthcare facility on NorthTec's Raumanga Campus.
A request for a proposal currently out for tender said the proposed two-floor facility could incorporate general practice, a pharmacy, physiotherapy and osteopathy alongside teaching and learning spaces. The facility would likely have about 28.5 fulltime staff including seven doctors and would help cater for increasing demand at Raumanga Medical Centre, which had been operating at capacity.
Manaia PHO chief executive Chris Farrelly said in a letter supporting the project that the idea was solidified at a inter-agency meeting last year, and that the tender process was the next step to making it a reality. However, the idea had been in work for several years.
"There was considerable enthusiasm and support for this project and the opportunity it would provide for the wider Raumanga community," he said.
