She said she understood a \u201cgrandfather\u201d clause meant affected practices would get \u201csome degree of funding\u201d for one year, \u201cand then it will be gone\u201d.<\/p>\n
Her online petition to \u201csave\u201d the centre\u2019s rural funding had more than 2300 signatures as of Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Health NZ said no decisions had been made on its nationwide rural funding proposal and it could not comment on the specifics of possible funding or transition arrangements.<\/p>\n
The agency said it expected any transition would be managed so medical clinics did not see a reduction in funding.<\/p>\n
Locals concerned about \u2018huge\u2019 impact<\/p>\n
Robins Nest Early Childhood Centre owner Zoe Farnath said she was concerned about the centre\u2019s potential loss of its rural funding contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just like to know that it\u2019s there if we need it and if it\u2019s not there \u2026 it\u2019s a long drive to Tauranga.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farnath said access to nearby healthcare was essential for families with young children.<\/p>\n
In her view: \u201cIf services are reduced and families have to travel to Tauranga, it will mean delays in care, added stress, and in some cases, children not being seen as quickly as they should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mother-of-two said the cost of travel and lack of public transport could also be barriers for families.<\/p>\n
\u201cTauranga\u2019s health services are already under significant pressure, and this would only add to that strain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robins Nest owner Zoe Farnath with Katikati Medical Centre in the background on the corner of Beach Rd and Clive Rd, Katikati. Photo \/ Merle Cave<\/p>\n
She urged Health NZ to ensure rural communities continued to have \u201cfair access to essential care\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe rely on strong local health services to support our tamariki and their wh\u0101nau. Reducing these services will have a real impact across the whole community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katikati Bowling Club president Bryn Gradwell said the club had an \u201caged demographic\u201d with many \u201cfrequent visitors\u201d to the medical centre.<\/p>\n
If the changes went ahead, \u201cit would have a huge impact\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gradwell said accessing medical appointments, treatment and advice locally was \u201cmore than a convenience\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an anxiousness about not being able to see your own GP or people you\u2019re familiar with.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur people just visiting the local medical centre is a comfort in itself rather than going somewhere strange and they\u2019re unfamiliar with.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said Tauranga Hospital was up to 40 minutes away \u201con a good run\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut many a time, our people have been there for one-and-a-half hours in the traffic, or longer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katikati Medical Centre is facing losing its rural funding contract with Health NZ.<\/p>\n
Katikati Community Board member John Clements said several \u201cquite horrified\u201d people had approached him about the potential change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is general concern because it\u2019s not convenient.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clements said a lot of elderly people lived in Katikati and it would be \u201cvirtually impossible\u201d for them to travel to and from Tauranga. <\/p>\n
He was also concerned about the additional demand it would place on the hospital.<\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor James Denyer said he supported maintaining healthcare services in Katikati.<\/p>\n
Katikati Medical Centre has about 9500 enrolled patients.<\/p>\n
Health NZ living well acting director Astuti Balram said the agency was considering changes to rural funding proposed by a primary care sector rural working group and no decisions had been made.<\/p>\n
The proposal was aimed at strengthening funding for practices serving rural communities to better support rural communities\u2019 access to primary health care, Balram said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf changes to rural funding allocation are agreed, then Health NZ would expect to ensure that the transition is managed so that medical clinics do not see a reduction in their funding.\u201d<\/p>\n