Reduced Accident and Medical Clinic Services at Kenepuru suddenly dumped on community

Local Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauauru, Tariana Turia, is outraged at the shock announcement this afternoon, that the accident and medical services at Kenepuru Hospital will be closed between 11pm and 8am from Monday.

“Whilst all of Wellington is supposedly distracted by the Rugby Sevens festivities, Capital and Coast District Health Board make an astonishing decision which will have major repercussions for the people of Porirua, the Kapiti Coast, and northern Wellington” said Mrs Turia.

“We know that transport and travel are significant barriers for many people – particularly those groups who already experience significant disparities in access to health services” said Mrs Turia. “These people will now be forced to travel into Newtown in the middle of the night”.

“My fear is that health decisions will be adversely compromised by economic factors – and in situations of crisis, people’s lives will be placed at risk”.

“Kenepuru currently provides a full range of services to many Maori and Pasifika communities living throughout Porirua and Northern Wellington” said Mrs Turia. “How have these communities been involved in this decision?”

Mrs Turia is particularly astounded at the last minute notice dumped on the community, with the drastic change in hours to take effect from Monday.

“I have already received calls from constituents who are extremely angry at this decision, and see it as further evidence of a low decile community being penalised” said Mrs Turia.

“This hospital services one of the lowest income areas of Wellington” said Mrs Turia. “With sub-standard Housing New Zealand homes contributing to their poor health this is a huge setback for Porirua”.

“During the lead up to Election 2005, local Labour Member, Winnie Laban promised “Kenepuru Community Hospital will always be open” and that the “new A and M will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week” “ said Mrs Turia.

“I will be approaching my parliamentary colleagues, particularly the electorate MPs of this region to call on the Minister of Health, to ensure that these commitments are upheld – for the safety of our communities”.

“If it is a resource issue to incentivise doctors then the Government must assist” said Mrs Turia.