At a public meeting in Queenstown last night, the National Health Board announced that the panel would discuss why families in the Wakatipu avoid going to the doctors. The panel found that the main reason was the costs of visiting doctors were too high.

The board is searching for ways to help families fund visits to the doctors. Dr. Foley states: “We have a community that has had enough and is ready to help us come to a decision”. Further, reports are being made to implement public and privately funded health services.

Other recommendations made at the meeting will be included and are expected to be fully adopted and implemented within the next few weeks.

Dr. Foley explains that there are limited resources and that the panelist should consult these issues to find solutions. There needs to be a way to provide affordable healthcare to local people. “Savings can be made by keeping appropriate patients out of base and tertiary hospitals and these savings should be taken into account when budgets are considered”.

The National Health Board will decide the future of Queenstown’s healthcare future and plans to adopt a regional approach.