The Minister of Health was aware and supportive.
The $1m had been used to increase the numbers of senior medical staff whose sub-specialties enabled Hauora Tairawhiti to work with people who needed care.
Barbara Clarke told fellow board members that Hauora Tairawhiti’s situation could be quickly explained. Mr Bibby said he was concerned the public would hold a different perception following the Budget.
Half the funding already gone“Half of the funding has gone out the door already.”
That needed to be highlighted and emphasised to the public, he said.
Mr Green told the Herald the level of Hauora Tairawhiti’s funding for 2016-2017 was larger because the Government had allocated a larger increase overall for health in the Budget.
Hauora Tairawhiti’s funding also increased after a review of the health board funding formula.
“The review found our health board to be underfunded for the population we serve.”
Some board members made that point while discussing Hauora Tairawhiti’s budget deficit (Wednesday’s Herald).
“We have been saying for some time that we are underfunded,’’ said Mr Green.
“Every year we face additional costs to serve the most health- compromised population in the country. Those calls have been listened to and we will receive extra dollars based on the funding review.”
Mr Green said some of the new funding would go towards the deficit.
'Best increase in six years'Mr Scott said the additional funding for Hauora Tairawhiti in the Budget was brilliant and “the best increase I have seen during the past six years”.
“Minister of Health Dr Jonathan Coleman and our local MP Anne Tolley (Minister of Social Development) are to be commended for their efforts in recognising the fiscal requirements of our statistically-proven unhealthy population.
“This boost will allow the board to continue to drive the new approaches that we believe will turn the statistics around.”
Mr Green said Hauora Tairawhiti had already invested in extra health services and extra elective surgery over past years.
“The increase in funding for next year is a welcome catch-up for that. The board has always supported ensuring people get the care they require.
“As an organisation we seek ways to further improve the care available in our district for long-term health gains, while never losing sight of where we can control costs or save money.
“Examples of investments already made by Hauora Tairawhiti include the record number of people in our district who have had elective surgical operations including hip, knee and eye surgery this year.
“Our programme, with Primary Health Organisations, of additional health services for the most vulnerable children in our district, and their families, is one we are committed to continuing and growing.
Care closer to home“We have funded a range of services to enable GPs and primary care to offer more care to people closer to their homes.
“This is another area we have planned to support and grow further. However, the extra services, extra surgery, increasing number of acutely-unwell patients we have treated, increased need for hospital level care in the community for our older people and greater use of pharmaceuticals has driven us into a deficit position," Mr Green said.
“We are likely to finish the financial year with a loss currently estimated at over $3 million. The extra Government funding for next year means we can carry on doing more for our community.
“There is a plan to get Hauora Tairawhiti’s deficit under control. This includes looking at our procurement processes, reducing our stock holdings, efficiencies in the way our services operate and leveraging off national purchasing arrangements.
“All of these plus the additional funding will enable us to manage the additional costs and return to surplus," Mr Green said.
