Plenty of work needed for clean bill of health

A review of Taupo health services has recommended upgrading the town's hospital to cope with a predicted increase in demand.

Keeping Taupo Hospital on its present site, retaining the present number of hospital beds and upgrading services were among the key recommendations of an independent review of Taupo health services carried out by Neil Woodhams.

He presented his final report, detailing 141 recommendations for improving Taupo services, to the Lakes District Health Board at a meeting in Rotorua on Friday.

Mr Woodhams said the review was conducted amid "mistrust and suspicion" in the local community and widespread feeling that Taupo had a raw deal compared with Rotorua in the allocation of health resources.

Locals believed the level of population growth and the impact of holidaymakers and visitors were not taken into account fully, Mr Woodhams said.

He recommended that the board plan for higher population growth than official projections.

Taupo Hospital should remain on its present site, but it was poorly laid out and inefficient. An upgrade should include improved layout and a better emergency department.

The board should also set minimum yearly levels of surgery for Taupo, and have a Taupo surgeon undertake most of the work. The operating theatre and facilities could also be hired to GPs and dentists and specialist surgeons for private surgery.

Access to health services was an issue. The board needed to consider providing a public transport system to Rotorua.

Appointing a Taupo services manager, based in Taupo and reporting directly to the chief executive, would help dispel the belief Rotorua-based managers were out of touch with Taupo's needs, the report said.

The report will go to the steering group and health staff this week. They will make submissions to the board by mid-February.


Recommendations

Remain on present site.

Retain and upgrade operating theatre.

Contract out facilities for private work

- NZPA