A petition has called for an expanded Kaitāia Hospital as Far North residents struggle with limited care. Photo / Mike Dinsdale
A Far North woman is calling for better healthcare in the district after her partner had to endure a painful ambulance ride more than 160km long.
Kaitāia resident Elle Montgomery-McCloy has launched a petition urging the Government to expand Kaitāia Hospital to service all medical and emergency needs, or build a new one that offers full care.
“In the last three years my partner has had three serious health issues and each time he has been shipped to Whangārei Hospital by ambulance.
“The first time he had a stroke, but luckily, he is fine from that. In July he shattered his hip, which was excruciating.”
She said she had heard of many similar stories from other residents and that something needed to change.
“We basically refused to keep going back to Whangārei for treatment as it was putting pressure on him, it was making it worse. We are trying to manage it on our own.
“But what about those who don’t have help at home and time is of the essence? How long will it be before people die or don’t survive something like a heart attack.”
Montgomery-McCloy said that while Kaitāia Hospital staff were wonderful and their services were done well, she claimed they did not have the facilities to deal with anything substantial.
Health NZ Te Tai Tokerau group director of operations Alex Pimm said Kaitāia Hospital was an important part of their hospital network in the region that provided a range of hospital and specialist services, including several transport options.
Pimm said they were not aware of the petition, however, they were happy to engage with the community on the matter.
“Health NZ is currently developing a rural health strategy, as well as a long-term infrastructure investment plan that will guide our collective response to ensuring that people living in non-urban areas are able to access the healthcare that they need.”
Pimm said over the past few years they have focused on offering more care as close to home as possible, which included offering joint replacement and cataract surgery at Kaitāia Hospital.
“We are very aware of the impact that distance and travel time has on people’s ability to access care and treatment. Our focus remains on ensuring that we minimise the travel for patients and their whānau as much as possible.”
Chief executive for primary healthcare organisation Mahitahi Hauora, Jensen Webber, said clinical workforce shortages are a long-standing issue for both primary and secondary healthcare providers and highlighted that the Far North also had that challenge of attracting and retaining healthcare professionals.
“We know that inequity in access to healthcare leads to poorer health outcomes. But until the underlying issues of securing equitable funding for general practice, pay parity between regions and between primary and secondary care, and workforce shortages are addressed, we are unlikely to make the progress our communities in Tai Tokerau deserve.”
Taikorihi Locality programme manager JJ Ripikoi said should a new hospital be built, it will not immediately resolve the health crisis in Te Hiku (Far North).
Taikorihi Locality is one of 12 Localities set up under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and hopes to achieve better and more equitable health outcomes for all.
“Te Hiku needs an upgraded hospital, we also need to ensure the resources follow, to provide the high-level care our whānau desperately need.
“We know that there is a lot of mahi to do to improve hauora in Te Hiku ō Te Ika to address a history of unmet need, persistent, long-term and long-standing inequalities and inequities that have yet to be addressed.”
Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson said the petition was received and is still open for signatures and has not yet been presented to the House.
Montgomery-McCloy said she hopes her petition, which currently has more than 180 signatures, will make a difference.
“I hope they take it seriously. I feel we are an overlooked area in this country. I lived in Hamilton before moving to the Far North and the difference is vast. It’s almost like we don’t exist up here.”
The petition is available online via petitions.parliament.nz.