Health Board snubs plea for funding

Wanganui District Council PHOTO/FILE

The Wanganui District Council has been told it can expect little help from the Whanganui District Health Board in its bid to get more funding for health shuttle services in the region.

In April the council decided to get the DHB and neighbouring local bodies to join a drive for more funding.

The heart of the issue is that increasing numbers of people needing specialist medical services have to travel out of Wanganui and district to get it, mainly at Palmerston North Hospital.

But WDHB chair Dot McKinnon has written to the council saying that while the board understood the council's concern, it could not agree to being part of a collaborative campaign.

Mrs McKinnon said that "as DHBs are funded by population-based funding" and it would be inappropriate for the board to campaign for funds outside this formula.

"Given the fiscal constraints the Government has faced in recent years, the health sector has fared very well when compared to other public services. The Whanganui population has benefited from this Government's commitment to health."

She said that even if extra funding was available, the board would have to "carefully consider" all the health needs in the district for which the money could be used.

"At this time there is not the evidence to support that this is the aspect of service where further investment would give the best value to the community."

However, Mrs McKinnon did say that there was a funding review planned for later in the year and the council could be assured the WDHB would work hard to ensure the issue of distance from specialised services will be factored into the formula.

Her letter also said the board would be willing to work with both district and regional councils to find ways to improve public transport between Wanganui and Palmerston North, but the board "will not take the lead and requires evidence of need".

Councillor Sue Westwood said the board's response was "a little disappointing".

While the board said it welcomed a collaborative approach, "I don't know if their response reflects that".

She said without the board's support she was not sure where the council would go next with the issue.

Councillor Rob Vinsen said it was "bizarre" that the WDHB did not work its funding at least in part involving a deprivation index.

"Even our own roading policy takes note of the district's deprivation index," Mr Vinsen said.

Councillor Jenny Duncan, who is also member of the WDHB, said the problem for the board was that any extra money it gave to the health shuttle services would have to come from its existing budget.

"But the board needs to know what the size of this problem is," Ms Duncan said.

Committee chair Philippa Baker-Hogan, another who serves on the board, said she knew the health board had not seen the letter yet and that it would be up for discussion.

Mrs Baker-Hogan said the council would not be letting go of the issue.