As a community, Kāpiti has become increasingly concerned about the gaps in health services in our district.  We have no 24/7 urgent health care, there is a serious shortage of doctors and our closest public hospitals with emergency departments (Wellington and Palmerston North) are around an hour’s drive away.  This needs to change.

Kāpiti Coast District Council (KCDC) is well aware of the concern in the community on these issues and has recognised health as one of five key operating strategies to form part of its Vision 2060.  KCDC does not provide health services but firmly believes it can be an influential part of the community, understanding its needs, advocating for better services and partnering and connecting with decision makers on improving health services. 

KCDC is well placed to work with community groups like KHAG, health providers and others and to be a voice to central Government.  They have consulted extensively with our community on the direction for a Health Strategy which sets out how they intend to operate and how they plan to achieve improvements in this vital area.  The strategy recognises a collective response is vital and the feedback and input provided is now being reviewed to ensure the direction identified is the one the community wishes to see.

Five areas of focus have been identified where KCDC can provide support for better health outcomes for our community.  These are:

• Ensuring existing Council activity improves its focus on public health and prevention services

• Building our understanding of community health needs

• Supporting more local primary and community health services

• Supporting better local after hours, urgent and emergency services

• Advocating for better access to hospital and other secondary health services

"Polyclinic" Progress

Work to define and support the need for a polyclinic in Kāpiti is proceeding at pace with KCDC and KHAG working in partnership to develop a “compelling case” for, subject to KCDC approval, presentation to Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora to undertake a business case.

We are looking at a public “polyclinic” on a single site that integrates primary and secondary health care facilities and services, including 24/7 urgent care. Secondary care would focus on an expanded range of non-acute services including increased outpatient clinics by visiting hospital specialists from Wellington, necessary diagnostic support services and telehealth selected to meet the district’s highest demands.

We will consider what services would be priority for local delivery and look at a number of delivery options, ranging from improved transport to a fully fledged hospital and assess these various concepts.  These options are not mutually exclusive and it is possible that several of them could be sought to complement each other.  For example, an improved shuttle service could be part of the mix.

The case aligns well with the Health Strategy and while decisions will rest with Te Whatu Ora, we are working hard to give them every reason to say “Yes” to the proposal..

Transport

With most specialised and emergency health services for Kāpiti residents provided at hospitals in Wellington, getting there is a headache for many who are unable to drive to the city and for whom the long and difficult trip by public transport is unrealistic.

Looking at hospital transport options has been a focus for KHAG since the Group was first set up with a number of the initiatives we have advocated for such as the Porirua Station to Kenepuru link shuttle and the publication of information brochures being welcomed.

But this remains an area of concern.  One of the providers, Kāpiti Carers, a fabulous group of people who transport patients from their own homes in Kāpiti to medical services in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua and locally, is currently seeking more people willing to volunteer.

If you have a current drivers licence and own a car with full insurance, Diana would love to hear from you.  Call her on 021 1553276. Once a week, once a fortnight or occasionally, your contribution will be welcomed.

Additional Radiology Services in Kāpiti

Pacific Radiology advise that their new facilities in Kāpiti Road are completed and the new MRI and CT scans are fully operational.  Patients no longer have to make the more than 120 km round trip to Wellington for these important diagnostic services.

KHAG is delighted to welcome these new services to our district.

KHAG Working Groups

We have now set up five working groups within KHAG to look at specific issues.  These are:

• Access to Services (primarily working on the polyclinic case at present)

• Mental health

• Public health

• Children and Young People

• Transport

All of these groups are seeking improvements in services in Kāpiti and we would welcome input from the community. 

Innovative New App Provides Support on Health Services

The app lets you be in charge of understanding, navigating and managing your information and who gets to see it. The developers hope is that Te Ara Pae Ora will give whānau back the control of their health and wellbeing by improving access to relevant information.