Sun, 08 Aug 2004
Porirua's After-Hours Medical Centre to Close
Our Council must fight the closure of Porirua's After Hours Medical Centre said Councillor Robert Shaw.
The Health Board has announced the Centre is likely to close in April and that the services associated with it are happy
to relocate.
Chief executive Margo Mains said this was the Boards "desired option" and that is supported by "most of the 21
shareholders".
However, the public has not been consulted said Cr Shaw.
He has moved a motion to have a special council meeting develop an action plan to fight both the closure of the Porirua
After Hours Service and the Boards new fees.
"Too many decisions that affect ordinary people are being made behind closed doors with invited participants only."
The Board has no intention of providing us with a hospital and they want to charge for GP and nurse services.
The result is bizzar. The Board now says it is to replace patients intial assessment with a telphone service so you can
diagnose yourself and be told to go to your own GP or to Newtown.
Cr Shaw said recent increases in fees at the After Hours Centre seems to be a part of the softening up proceess before
closure.
"I have asked Mayor Brash to assist me in advancing this cause by calling a special meeting immediately. The mayor has
this power" Cr Shaw said.
The notice of motion reads: That the Council calls an emergency/special meeting to consider how the Council can show
leadership regarding: (a) the fight to stop the closure of the Porirua After Hours Medical Centre, (b) the fight against
charges being imposed on our residents by the Minister of Health and the Health Board.
ENDS