Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey is holding a public forum on health in Waimakariri in the Rangiora Town Hall Main Auditorium on Thursday 17 June at 6.30pm. 

"My offices are often barometers of issues that are concerning our residents," Doocey said.

"The recent announcement that health services will be centralised has led to concerns about what delivery of health services in our regions like North Canterbury will look like. Residents are asking how these changes will impact our promised seven-day after-hours facility, which we had anticipated being opened this year.

"While I enjoy being able to catch up with our new Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) CEO Peter Bramley and other senior managers, I value how important it is for our residents to be able to be part of an active discussion on health and to bring their questions directly to the CDHB.  I am, therefore, delighted to announce that Peter, as the CDHB’s CEO, has accepted my invitation to come to Waimakariri for an open health forum with our residents in the Rangiora Town Hall on Thursday 17 June at 6.30pm. Our residents will be able to meet Peter and other CDHB managers, and hear about the CDHB’s plans for healthcare in Waimakariri.

"At my last public meeting with the CDHB, residents Sandi and David McLean presented our community’s petition for after-hours healthcare, which successfully resulted in a commitment by the CDHB to provide this service for our community. The lease for the seven-day Integrated Family Health Centre that will deliver extended hours healthcare has been signed off by the Minister and I, like many of our residents, want to see construction getting underway.

"Bbring a friend, a neighbour or a family member and, above all, bring your questions, and let’s talk health," Doocey said.