Health NZ to take over running Dannevirke Community Hospital

Health New Zealand will take over running Dannevirke Community Hospital.This comes after a temporary freeze on the hospital taking in new patients in September because of concerns about patient safety. That freeze lifted earlier in October.The six-bed hospital is run by the Tararua Health Group, which has come under scrutiny recently over staffing levels at health clinics it owns.Health NZ has helped staff the hospital in recent weeks and on Friday said that would continue until next week, when an announcement would be made on next steps.Checkpoint understands that announcement is that Health NZ it is taking over running the hospital, although it wouldn't confirm that yet.Its central regional director for planning, funding and outcomes Geoff Gwyn said on Friday it remained committed to "supporting the continued provision of services at Dannevirke Community Hospital"."A resourced and clinically safe roster is in place through to 30 October, and the cessation order has been extended to that date while longer-term arrangements are worked through."There has been no change to maternity services at Dannevirke Community Hospital, including the availability of postnatal stays," he said."Tararua Health Group remains the provider responsible for operating Dannevirke Community Hospital."Health NZ continues to work closely with the provider and local stakeholders, with our focus on ensuring the Tararua community has access to safe and sustainable health services."An audit in September found there weren't enough doctors at the hospital to ensure patients received safe care.Tararua Health Group's Mark Wills told Checkpoint Health NZ taking over operations was great for the community because there would be continuation of care.He said he appreciated Health NZ working with the group and denied the takeover was because Health NZ lacked confidence in its ability to provide safe services.In an email to staff, which Checkpoint has seen, Wills said new arrangements, where Health NZ took "responsibility as the certified operator of Dannevirke Community Hospital" would begin on 30 October."This is a constructive development that we believe will provide greater certainty for our staff, patients and the wider community," he said."Importantly, hospital services will continue during this transition. We have confirmed a fully staffed, clinically safe roster through to 30 November, ensuring continuity of care for our patients."Wills said, in his email, that the Tararua Health Group would continue to employ hospital staff.He said some details needed finalising and he would communicate further to staff about that.