The Associate Minister of Health with responsibility for rural health is visiting rural communities to hear about local health care and how the government can better support communities and people working in rural health. 

The Ministry of Health has organised the ‘rural health roadshow’ which has been touring rural locations in the North Island since April.

The only South Island visits are to Wānaka tomorrow (Tuesday July 1), Oamaru (July 2), Hanmer Springs (July 7), and Gore (July 8). 

“All roadshow meetings are public meetings; the main purpose of these meetings is to hear from local communities about health care services,” a Ministry of Health spokesperson told the Central App.

“The roadshow will start with Hon Matt Doocey, Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health, delivering an introductory speech. 

“Then the minister will introduce Mark Patterson [Minister for Rural Communities] and the panel of health officials who will be helping the minister answer questions from the audience.”

The floor will then be opened for a question and answer session, which is expected to run for approximately 40 minutes.

The roadshow will be MCed by Hauroa Taiwhenua Rural Health Network chief executive Dr Grant Davidson.

The events are open to health professionals and members of the public. While the event is free, people have been asked to register their attendance here.

The Wānaka event will take place on Tuesday at the Lake Wānaka Centre from 12-1.30pm.