August 6 2024
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Rally gives thanks Employers praised by firefighting volunteers Dargaville Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer, Jason Campbell, and his team of volunteers have offered …
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p Members of the Kaipara District Council won a trophy in the recent Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi without having to get behind the wheel. The civic leadership received a special award from the organisers and drivers for being excellent hosts following the success of last week’s inaugural rally race in west Kaipara.
Dargaville healthcare seeks solutions
Honouring hospice contribution
u by Amy Fifita
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Councils slam emergency funding cuts
Recent proposals to dramatically reduce the amount of funding given to local councils for emergency road …
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Staffing shortages at Dargaville Hospital have raised concerns with local community health organisations in Kaipara and beyond. Night shift nursing staff had to rely on video contact with a doctor at Whangārei Base Hospital when a patient went into cardiac arrest when no doctor was in attendance at Dargaville. Te Whatu Ora northern regional director Mark Shepherd said the organisation continues to recruit to senior doctor positions at Dargaville Hospital and the death was unrelated to current staffing. “Any patient’s death is distressing and we extend our condolences to this whānau,” he said. Kaipara Community Health Trust CEO Debbie Evans said this incident and its subsequent publicity provided the traction
T U O T GE ! E R E H TWITH SUZUKI
needed to help find and fund solutions. “We’ve now got the nation’s attention, with prime minister Christopher Luxon saying, ‘it’s incredibly challenging’ there was no doctor at Dargaville Hospital, when a patient went into cardiac arrest recently,” Ms Evans said. “We have great healthcare facilities in Dargaville, supported by excellent diagnostic and dedicated staff. We can’t afford for our rural health services to erode. Our community needs and deserves excellent health care provided locally.” Opposition leader Chris Hipkins said Mr Luxon’s response to the situation was absolutely appalling.
“The reality is, we have got to ensure we’re fully staffing our health system. That means recruiting more people and ensuring we’re funding our hospitals so they’re fully staffed,” said Mr Hipkins. Heart Place Hospital CEO Jacqui O’Connor, a leading advocate for frontline medical staff, said a solution requires a multifaceted approach. “The government can play a pivotal role by increasing funding for rural healthcare facilities, offering incentives for medical professionals to work in underserved areas, and providing adequate accommodation and support for doctors and their families,” said Mrs O’Connor. ¢
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A small group of volunteers enjoyed a lunch at the Gumdiggers Cafe in Matakohe recently to acknowledge …
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