Local iwi trust takes over troubled Pahīatua Medical Centre

• Iwi trust buys Pahīatua Medical Centre
• Ownership to change hands immediately
• Move welcomed by locals, staff who stepped down likely to return

An under-pressure lower North Island medical clinic has a new owner - a decision that's allowed locals to breathe a sigh of relief.

On Monday, it was announced Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Trust had bought the Pahīatua Medical Centre from the Tararua Health Group, which is owned by Omnihealth.

This follows a period of turmoil at the centre, including staff resignations, due to overwork and safety concerns.

Here to provide healthcare, not make money

Iwi trust chairman Hayden Hape said it saw a need in the community and acted. The trust had raised the possibility of iwi taking over the centre during a public meeting in September.

Hape said he was now telling medical centre staff that they would be part of a new culture.

"We want them to fall in live with what they've dedicated their lives to do - being nurses and practitioners.

"They have the passion to take care of the community, but unless they take care of themselves, they're unable to deliver that to the community."

The clinic has more than 4500 patients on its books and is the only general practice in the town. The closest major centres are Palmerston North, a 40-minute drive away, and Dannevirke, 30 minutes.

Hape reassured patients they would be well cared for.

"The value is in the people here," he said. "Ngāti Kahungunu is not here to make money out of health.

"We're here to deliver healthcare that the community can connect to. They can see themselves in it and they get the service that's deserved, without having to go outside the district."

The iwi trust also ran Dannevirke clinic Te Kahu Hauora. Hape said it had created a good environment there and wanted to do the same in Pahīatua.

Seven staff, including a doctor and nurses, recently resigned from the Pahīatua Medical Centre, saying they wouldn't be back, if Omnihealth, which owns the Tararua Health Group, remained in charge.

Health NZ is reviewing Omnihealth operations in the Tararua District and last month took over the running of the Dannevirke Community Hospital.

Hape said the trust would keep their jobs open, if they wanted to return, and employ all existing staff.

One of the first six who left - registered nurse Mark Emmerson - told RNZ on Monday he would return.

"I've signed a contract with Kahungunu," he said. "The other five of us who resigned initially are in negotiations for their contracts.

"They'll be receiving their contacts shortly. Things will certainly be different now.

"Omni had a lot of trouble recruiting staff, which certainly compounded the workload.

"Now Kahungunu, I think, are able to attract good-quality staff who want to work in the community and who want to support the community."

'About time'

Pahīatua residents spoken to by RNZ welcomed the change in ownership, which took effect immediately.

Raymond Hira had just hitchhiked to the town from nearby Woodville for a medical appointment.

"The fact that the local iwi has stepped in to buy it is plainly a win-win," he said. "At least it's going to remain open for the community.

"Without it, we'd totally be buggered."

Barbara Duckett was relieved to hear of the change.

"It's about time, I think. I've use my medical centre for years.

"The staff have been wonderful and you couldn't ask for better staff.

"I'm sorry that some of them have left. Please come back," she said of those who resigned.

John Chapman said he attended the public meeting where Hape floated the idea of iwi ownership and said he supported it, especially if it improved services.

"It seems to be a long waiting period to get in."

Another resident, Julie, said she wanted to know more about the new owner and its motivations, but echoed Chapman's concerns about access to care.

"You can't get in for love nor money," she said. "There are a lot of people who are very sick and can't see somebody straight away.

"I've got things that I know I need to get checked out, but I just know I won't get in, so I just don't."

Tararua District Mayor Scott Gilmore said the news was positive, especially after the recent uncertainty.

"It has been really clear that local ownership has been a real priority for people, so it's really pleasing to see this solution come to pass."

Iwi offer best solution - former owner

Tararua Health Group director Mark Wills said the iwi approached it with an offer.

"We considered that in the context of all that's been going on. and thought this is the best solution in terms of ensuring a long-term continuous service there and consolidation of services in the Pahīatua area."

RNZ asked if that was an admission the Tararua Health Group wasn't running the medical centre as well as it should.

"No, that's not at all," Wills said. "It's really just, obviously, there was a loss of some staff, which has been highly publicised, but we were focused primarily on what we can do to ensure the strongest service for the patients going forward.

"This opportunity presented to us was something that we gave serious consideration to and it resulted in us then deciding to sell the Pahīatua Medical Centre to the iwi."

Details of the sale were confidential, he said.

Wills didn't have exact staffing figures, but said it was operating with a "reasonable" number, as per the plan that we developed with [primary health organisation] the PHO to ensure that the services were being delivered to the Pahīatua community".

"We are committed to supporting Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua through the transition and ensuring continuity of care for patients."