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Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Petition on display as minister arrives
A petition calling for the health system to be fixed has arrived in Gore. The Buller Declaration is a petition started in September last year following the closure of the Buller regional hospital on the West Coast. The petition states healthcare is in a state of crisis and requires intervention by the government as well as the allocation of more resources for staffing issues. It also states the rural, Māori and poorer populations are being further victimised by this crisis, and the government must meet its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. Already the petition has received thousands of signatures, with more to come as it sits in the foyer of Gore Health until the end of the month. Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler said there was a tremendous amount of pressure being put on hospitals, especially in the South, due to a medical downturn. "General practices are like the canary in the coal mine. When they're not running or resourced well, you see the flow-on effect in EDs [emergency departments]. "Our little rural ED has gone from 6000 visits in 2021/22, to a 45% increase to over 10,000 visits this financial year. This is not sustainable," he said. Waiting lists are only growing longer, Mr Metzler said, it was becoming nearly impossible to access specialists in Southland. Mr Metzler said in a region with such strong economic drive there needed to be some reciprocity for the health sector down South. "We are a major food basket for this country and I think we're really getting short changed on the healthcare front, despite the tax dollars we contribute." Mr Metzler was hoping to raise awareness of the issue and also the petition. He was optimistic it would get a lot of support from the community. • Yesterday, after The Ensign 's deadline, Gore Health was due to host Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey. Earlier in the week, Mr Metzler said the meeting would also also be a great chance to promote what a rural hospital could be. "Gore has a lot to showcase and celebrate as a community-owned, integrated health facility. It's quite unique and I think we should be proud. "But it's also an opportunity to highlight some of the rural inequity of being a trust-owned hospital." Mr Metzler said as a trust-owned hospital, funding from Health New Zealand was a drop in the bucket compared to other facilities.
Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Health petition arrives, minister's visit looms
"General practices are like the canary in the coal mine. When they're not running or resourced well, you see the flow-on effect in EDs" — Karl Metzler. Photo: Linda Robertson Gore Health will be hosting quite a pairing this week, a petition calling the state of healthcare an emergency and the associate health minister. The Buller Declaration is a petition started in September last year following the closure of the Buller regional hospital on the West Coast. The petition states healthcare is in a state of crisis and requires intervention by the government as well as the allocation of more resources for staffing issues. It also states the rural, Māori and poorer populations are being further victimised by this crisis, and the government must meet its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. Already the petition has received thousands of signatures, with more to come as it sits in the foyer of Gore Health until the end of the month. Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler said there was a tremendous amount of pressure being put on hospitals, especially down South, due to a medical downturn. "General practices are like the canary in the coal mine. When they're not running or resourced well, you see the flow-on effect in EDs [emergency departments]. "Our little rural ED has gone from 6000 visits in 2021/22, to a 45% increase to over 10,000 visits this financial year. This is not sustainable," he said. Waiting lists are only growing longer, Mr Metzler said, it was becoming nearly impossible to access specialists in Southland. Mr Metzler said in a region with such strong economic drive there needed to be some reciprocity for the health sector down South. "We are a major food basket for this country and I think we're really getting short changed on the healthcare front, despite the tax dollars we contribute." Mr Metzler was hoping to raise awareness of the issue and also the petition. He was optimistic it would get a lot of support from the community. Tomorrow, Gore Health will be hosting Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey, who is responsible for mental and rural health. Mr Metzler said although he will be discussing issues with the minister, it would also be a great chance to promote what a rural hospital can be. "Gore has a lot to showcase and celebrate as a community-owned, integrated health facility. It's quite unique and I think we should be proud. "But it's also an opportunity to highlight some of the rural inequity of being a trust-owned hospital." Mr Metzler said as a trust-owned hospital, funding from Health New Zealand was a drop in the bucket compared to other facilities.
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Health centre given masonic support
New toiletry kits and two new pulse oximeters were donated to Gore Health by the Southern Masonic Trust this past week (from left) Masonic Charitable Trust secretary treasurer Christine Baird, Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler, Masonic Charitable Trust chairman Neil O'Rorke, past Southland District grandmaster Russell Falconer. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG Forget the smoke and mirrors, the secret is out, the Freemasons in Southland are a charitable bunch. The Southland Masonic Charitable Trust has once again reached into its coffers, this time helping out Gore Health by donating over $4000 to the health centre. This money was used to purchase two new pulse oximeters, used to measure oxygen saturation levels in a patient's blood, as well as their heart rate. Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler said the equipment will serve a valuable purpose both in the health centre and on the go. "We use these in transport so it's critical we have these on the road, for monitoring. "We need one [here at the health centre], and one to go with St John and the patient." Mr Metzler said the Masonic Trust had always been very charitable, helping out the health centre for the past 15 years. The organisation also donates emergency toiletry kits, for when people are admitted and may not be able to head home to grab a toothbrush and a comb. The Southland Masonic Trust Chairman Neil O'Rorke said he was always happy to help out Gore Health. Mr O'Rorke said the organisation was less smoke and mirrors these days and more of a charitable group in New Zealand. "We're trying to get Freemasonry out there more, it's not a secret society ... "Freemasons New Zealand gives away millions of dollars every year, with $20,000 to $30,000 just here in Southland," he said.
Otago Daily Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Bladder screening tech given by Lions
Displaying the new bladder screening tool, donated by Gore Pakeke Lions, are (from left) Pakeke Lions member Murray Ross, secretary Brian Pitcher, Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler and Gore Pakeke Lions president Ross Dickie. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG. A new bladder screening tool at Gore Hospital will allow flexibility for both healthcare professionals and patients, and was funded entirely by the Gore Pakeke Lions. The Meike portable bladder scanner gives the medical practitioner live images and real time measurements of the patient's bladder, giving a non-invasive peek into the goings-on. The portability will allow district nurses to perform home visits, often saving people in a vulnerable time considerable time and effort. The machine, which cost around $7000, was funded entirely through the Gore Pakeke Lions after their member Murray Low brought it up at their meeting. To put it into perspective, to cover the cost the Pakeke Lions would have had to recycle around three tonnes of aluminum cans. Mr Low said he found out about the need for a machine after a check-up with a district nurse, and felt he could help the Gore Community by getting the funding. "I was having ongoing treatment and I heard they were borrowing from other hospitals and I said we've got money, that's what it's for and it's what we do. "Now patients won't have to travel far to get their bladders screened, or even at all as the device means those in need can get their check-up at their own home." Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler said he was extremely grateful for the support of the Pakeke Lions, which has been equally continuous and generous. "A really heartfelt thanks to the Pakeke Lions for their support. "It also needs to be said, this isn't a one-off. "The Lions have supported this hospital and healthcare facility from day one and we shouldn't underestimate the tens of thousand they have so generously donated for often life-preserving equipment," he said.
