December 23, 2012
Te Tau Ihu health services face more upheaval
Top of the South Island Māori health providers taking over the work of failed Te Rapuora ō Te Waiharakeke have been given only six month contracts as the district health board tries to encourage a new structure for delivery to Māori.
From 1st of January, Nelson-based Te Kahui Hauora ō Ngāti Koata and Te Hauora ō Te Awhina will take responsibility for Te Rapuora’s 128 mental health clients, as well as deliver community-based alcohol and drug services.
Te Hauora ō Ngāti Rarua and Maata Waka Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust will take over its Māori personal health services.
Te Rapuora decided to close its doors after a manager appointed in June found it had got itself into an unsustainable financial situation.
Harold Wereta, the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s Māori health director, says the fact four Māori providers put their hands up to help shows the maturity in the network.
He says the DHB has been working with the region’s Māori providers since 2007 on ways they can collaborate.
He says the aim over the next six months is to bring the seven remaining providers into a new entity or structure.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd