Hon Annette King
Minister of Health
2 February 2001 Media Statement
Porirua Healthlinks funded for three years
HEALTH Minister Annette King today announced that Porirua Healthlinks is to receive a further three years' funding.
"This indicates the Government's commitment to working with local people to improve health. The Ministry of Health will
continue to work with Healthlinks and local providers on initiatives to improve services and outcomes," Annette King
said.
Annette King's decision to continue the funding for a further three years was based on information and recommendations
in Porirua City Health and Disability Report and Plan 2000 about health and disability needs of Porirua people and their
priorities for improvements.
Porirua Healthlinks Committee co-chair Maureen Gillon welcomed the news and said the funding would allow Porirua
Healthlinks to ensure the community could continue to work with local providers and the Capital and Coast District
Health Board.
"This means that we can employ a local project manager and support other Healthlinks in providing leadership to realise
better health for people in Porirua," Ms Gillon said.
The Porirua City Health and Disability Report and Plan 2000 also recommended better access to primary care services for
people living in the eastern and western suburbs of Porirua, an information service so that people and practitioners
could find out about services available, counselling services,
a greater range of services from Maori and Pacific providers, and better access to specialist outpatient and inpatient
services at Kenepuru Hospital, including 24-hour hospital accident & emergency services. Further work is currently under way on these recommendations.
ENDS