Editorial: Time for genuine dialogue

When you consider the sensitivity surrounding the proposed regional women's health service plan, it's easy to see how concerns have arisen around the timing of two public meetings planned to inform the public about the proposal.

Under the proposal, up to half of Wanganui mothers may have to travel to Palmerston North to give birth.

Wanganui District councillor Jack Bullock is critical of the timing, and has seemingly found allies in fellow councillors Clive Solomon and Ray Stevens.

The two meetings are to be held in the Central Baptist Church Hall in Wicksteed St at 5.30pm on March 26 and 2pm on March 28.

Mr Bullock takes the view that the meeting times will stop a lot of people attending because they would either be working or finishing work.

He's right.

For many workers, the days of the 5pm finish are long gone.

Another sticking point appears to be whether the two meetings together comprise "consultation".

Mr Bullock claims they do not, while health board head Julie Patterson's rebuttal is that aside from the two public meetings, there have also been meetings arranged with stakeholders and other community groups to explain the proposal.

Regardless of how consultative the health board has been, history tells us that when it comes to gaining feedback on contentious issues with a widespread impact, like maternity services, public meetings are almost always the medium which gets the most buy-in.

While there's clearly a huge amount of community concern around the proposed changes, many people will simply not be able to make it to the meetings, as they are currently arranged, to have their say.

Mr Stevens has suggested more public meetings, advertising, and letterbox drops of flyers outlining the proposal and its likely effects.

As seen with the current promotions spree designed to educate the public on the upcoming change to give-way rules, letterbox flyers can be an effective way of getting the message out.

But nothing beats face-to-face communication and the chance for instant feedback - and that's why the public meeting times need to be pushed back.

Consultation is all well and good, but only if it's effective consultation.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz