First centralAlliance urology operations performed in Wanganui

21/02/2011 | centralAlliance urology operations

The first urology operations provided under Whanganui and MidCentral DHBs’ broadened, regional urology service were performed at Wanganui Hospital last week.

Based at MidCentral Health, the new centralAlliance initiative ensures residents living in the two districts receive a sustainable urology service provided by four Palmerston North-based MidCentral Health urologists and a Whanganui-based urology nurse.

The visiting urologists are now delivering theatre, clinics and on-call cover work five days a month, at Whanganui Hospital.

MidCentral Health urologist Quinten King says the benefits that the regional service provides for both district health boards and their communities include:

• future sustainability of services
• an additional urologist for the region to assist with capacity
• a better link between district health boards for acute work
• improved after hours roster and on call arrangements

Whanganui DHB Chief Executive Julie Patterson has welcomed the regional service calling it a “very positive initiative that benefits patients in both districts”.

Mrs Patterson described it as a local solution developed by clinical staff in the two DHBs that would ensure continued access for patients living in the combined Wanganui/Manawatu region.

 “The new regional service sees the Whanganui DHB provide financial support to the Midcentral DHB to maintain a viable number of urologists,” Mrs Patterson says. “Without this arrangement the urology services for both districts might have become vulnerable.”

Contacts

Whanganui District Health Board senior communications and media advisor Sue Campion, telephone (06) 348-1312; or MidCentral District Health Board communications spokesperson Dennis Geddis (06) 350-8900.