Health centre gears up for emergencies

The Turangi Community Health Centre will be getting a new generator.

Turangi's Community Health Centre will soon have a new generator to help deal with civil emergencies.

The Southern Lake Taupo Health Trust, which runs the centre, has been working hard to raise $50,000 to install an emergency diesel generator on site, and just before Christmas BayTrust provided $25,000 towards the project. The money, combined with the Southern Lake's other fundraising efforts, has allowed the centre to order a generator from the United States.

Southern Lake Taupo Health Trust spokeswoman Raewyn Judd said the trust was delighted to be able to buy the much-needed generator. She expected it would be delivered in about 12 weeks and a Taupo company had been lined up to install it on arrival.

Mrs Judd said discussions last year with the Taupo District Council about the health centre's potential role in a civil emergency highlighted how important it was to have an alternative power source.

"We realised if anything did happen and our health services were needed full time, we didn't have a generator so couldn't ensure the safety of patients and procedures being carried out at that time, or supply essential medical support services if a disaster did strike," she said.

If a civil emergency were to strike the central North Island, staff at the health centre would be right on the front line.

Volcanic eruptions from nearby Mt Ruapehu, lahars, earthquakes or other natural disasters could occur at any time and medical staff knew they needed to be ready.

Mrs Judd said power outages also frequently occurred throughout the year as the old lines struggled to supply the health clinic with its day-to-day electricity needs.

Turangi's lines company, The Lines Company, has also agreed to donate $3000 towards the generator and a five-year maintenance contract. Genesis Energy and Turangi businesses also made significant contributions.