Health Action Wānaka (HAW), the group formed to advocate for improved access to health services in the Upper Clutha, has two key meetings lined up to further its aims.

HAW members will meet Minister of Health Simeon Brown in Auckland on July 1, where they will seek his support for three ‘quick wins’ they have proposed: the introduction of psychiatric consultations via telehealth in this region within 12 months; delivery of a publicly funded blood collection service in Wānaka within two years; and increased local access to publicly funded radiology services via the government’s $30M funding boost announced last winter.

The ‘quick wins’ were listed in the group’s report, ‘Perception versus reality: the true state of healthcare in the Upper Clutha’, which was released in April.

Health Minister Simeon Brown (left) and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey. 

It identifies significant unmet needs, systemic barriers, and a lack of strategic health planning for the Upper Clutha.

Read more: Healthcare crisis for Upper Clutha - report

HAW is asking locals to email the Minister of Health ([email protected]) to support its call for the three proposals. The group has also created a template people can use when writing to the Minister. 

The second meeting is with Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey, who will visit Wānaka on the same day (July 1) as part of a rural health roadshow.

On Sunday (May 18) Matt announced a funding boost for urgent and after-hours healthcare services for rural and remote communities, but Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago were left out.

HAW has requested a private meeting with the associate minister while he is in Wānaka to “seek his support for more publicly funded health services” for the community, the group said.

“We would like as many locals as possible to attend this event and to show the Minister just how important it is to our community that we have equitable access to healthcare,” HAW said.

Email [email protected] to register for the event.

PHOTOS: Supplied