How to get people coming to Wanganui Hospital instead of going elsewhere for medical treatment had district health board members asking: Where's the incentive?
"How do we sell a package for people to buy local?" Whanganui District Health Board member Ray Stevens asked at the board meeting last week. "You can sell the adverse effect," Mr Stevens said. "If we sell them the effect we won't ever have to bring up the bloody parking again."
Philippa Baker-Hogan said inter-district flows seemed to be a "growing issue" and wanted to know whether actions would be taken to address it.
Chairwoman Dot McKinnon admitted: "This is something all DHBs are worried about."
Judith MacDonald said it highlighted the needs of rural communities who had to travel long distances for healthcare, but also had a "menu" of options available to them.