Anger at Reefton health cuts

Reefton residents have rejected a report proposing cuts to their health services, telling Auckland-based authors they don't know what they are talking about. About 300 people met in Reefton to discuss the Grafton Consulting Group's draft report which proposes scrapping the town's X-ray service, slashing aged care and building a new, smaller hospital or health centre.

The meeting passed two resolutions: that the Government, in consultation with the West Coast and possibly Northland communities, review the population-based funding model; and that the Government and the Reefton community explore other ways to gather health revenue, for example rating Conservation Department land.

Buller mayor Martin Sawyers promised that the district council would fight any health cuts.

He said he did not support setting up a community trust to take over health services.

The $103,000 Grafton review was commissioned by the council and the West Coast District Health Board.