Suzanne Williams

I am returned from Christmas celebrations and absence from Whakatāne to find that the awful bombshell of the withdrawal of full obstetrics services for the unfortunate intending mothers of the Eastern Bay has been no dream.  

  It is a great pity that this very important issue has been minimised and overshadowed by the time-of-year distractions.

There has been a big outcry, with much outrage expressed by, as far as I can see, two mayors, an MP (though uninspiring, as usual), three doctors. mothers, midwives, other concerned people, and a petition.

There have also been several strong letters from Sandy Milne and apparently the only real action; that of head-hunting at the maternity hospital  in his former workplace, Aberdeen, with an extremely handsome offer of free flights for the takers.

Thank you Sandy, and do not be distracted by the red herring of Matauranga Māori; it’s a  battle you can’t win, and a matter of definition.

This withdrawal of services from a growing area is, however, just the latest in a long line of centralisation and privatisation of Government health services; following medical clinics, pathology laboratories, eye specialisation and so on.  

These are all designed to save the Government money and cost us in time, money and convenience, with more carbon emissions ascending, as well; plus, of course, to force us into buying health insurance.

Can anyone tell me why we still hear stories of health professionals from other countries unable to practice here?  

Why do I have a fully qualified Filipino nurse/schoolteacher efficiently cleaning my house?  Are our standards too high, or is there something else at play here?

Perhaps, with the advent of the new regime, we will have an influx of nervous Americans crossing the Pacific to save our bacon.

I believe many years ago, our excellent hospital was saved from oblivion by the passion and power of the people.  

Dare I hope that something similar could happen in Whakatāne again?

Otherwise, I fear; lives will be lost.