People in Kapiti will continue to have access to quality after-hours healthcare close to home following an announcement from Capital & Coast DHB.

Last year, Capital & Coast DHB began talking to the community – including local health providers, and staff – about how to better deliver after-hours services.

This is because of ongoing challenges staffing the Kenepuru Accident & Medical Clinic overnight.

Executive director strategy, innovation and performance Rachel Haggerty says – “there is no plan to close the clinic – but we do need a better way of providing services so residents have reliable access to after-hours care.

“We gained valuable insights from those conversations, and have listened to the community’s concerns,” she said.

“We will increase staff numbers on the afternoon to 11pm shift, so people aren’t waiting into the early morning to be seen. Overnight, we’ll still have a service available – however emergencies continue to be seen at the Wellington Regional Hospital emergency department.”

The DHB, in partnership with primary health organisations, is also working to help GPs extend their hours to better reflect their patients’ lifestyles.

“We want to strengthen our relationships with the Porirua and Kapiti communities and the healthcare providers working within them.

“We understand how important it is for people to have continued access overnight healthcare close to where they live, and we’re committed to this.”

(from the KC News website)

This week, when North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group begged Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore to “adopt the community of Parramatta, as we are left without a democratically elected council” there certainly was envy. It was the envy of people deliberately disenfranchised at a moment of great change, people gazing wistfully at a place where local […]

via Read Dr Elizabeth Farrelly’s opinion piece “The real politics of envy isn’t about wealth: it’s about the city we wish we had” — Pittwater Forever

The NZ Fire Service has created a simulated domestic fire escape situation at www.escapemyhouse.co.nz

The three things needed for fire are: 1. combustible material; 2. an ignition source, and 3. oxygen.  Eliminate any one of them and the fire goes out.

The biggest problem that needs regular safety checks is the ignition source: devices or their batteries or appliances that can get dangerously hot.  If it comes in contact with combustible material then you have the makings of a fire. Anything approaching the ignition point of paper – 233 degrees Celcius – is obviously dangerous.

See also the earlier post on the Waikanae Fire Station open day.

This is a new group created on the Neighbourly website.

AIM: In conjunction with the KCDC, the Weggery Reserve Conservation Group seeks to develop, restore and beautify this small area along the Waikanae River.

OBJECTIVES
1. To protect native flora and fauna.
2. To deter invasive non-native plants.
3. To develop vegetation that will attract native birds.
4. To reduce threats and predators to native birds.
5. To beautify the area for public recreation and enjoyment.
6. To protect the flood bank from erosion.

The previous post (17th March) by Mr Osborne strongly indicated this would be the outcome.

The compromise was that the hedge could be cut back to just 2 metres up from the ground rather than the full 7 metres. It’s still going to look ugly, but Mayor Guru says the council will try to mitigate that somehow. (Looking at this today, we think a spray paint job with a suitable shade of green would be enough to produce a mitigating effect.)

Joel Maxwell story on the stuff website

In Europe the seasons officially change at the equinoxes and the solstices; here, some say autumn begins on the first of March, others (above) the 20th; we say we should follow Europe — the 22nd.

Regardless, this year saw an unusually wet summer, few if any plants will have been lost due to dehydration, the grass stayed green and some trees (and weeds) grew surprisingly.

But with global climate change there is every chance next year could be extra dry.  What does the KCDC have to cope with that?  Only the dodgy bore water scheme and of course its water meters.

How about a reservoir?  No, for the council that belongs in the too hard basket, and the money needed would be better wasted on Paraparaumu town centre.

Visit Cape Palliser at this time of year and the seal pups are sure to be performing their underwater acrobatics in rock pools or having a snooze in the sun.

via Photo of the week: Fur seal pup at Cape Palliser — Conservation blog