It has come to light that the health services in South Taranaki will be working towards strengthening its relationships with Whanganui. The Taranaki District Health Board and its counterpart Whanganui have been battling for long over the availability of the doctors.

The Taranaki District Health Board has proposed that in order to smooth the relationship between the two, cuttings should be imposed on the patient’s beddings at Hawera Hospital. It has also been recommended that the cuts should also be imposed upon the staffing. The board has proposed that the 24/7 doctors staffing at the hospital should be reduced by a third which means that only one doctor will be called between 10: 00 p. m. and 6:00 p. m. every day.

The Health Board is of the opinion that this strategy will help in improving the ties with Whanganui District Health Board. Moreover, the strategy will enable better medical services for patients in the southern end of South Taranaki.

Julie Patterson, Whanganui District Health Board Chief Executives said, "We will give consideration to any proposal that Taranaki puts to us. We want to support them in whatever way makes best sense for their communities”.

However, Waverley Health Watch Chairwoman, Jo Byam said that the proposed strategy might not help the Whanganui District Health Board. But the district nurse services provided by the Taranki would be of great help.