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From today, around 6,000 people aged 65 and over living in Wairarapa can get cheaper doctor visits and reduced charges for many prescribed medicines.
The benefits are available through the Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) around the country as part of a government drive to deliver better, more affordable community health care services.
Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer says over 90 per cent of Wairarapa DHB's over-65 population is registered with a PHO and stand to gain from their share of a targeted cash injection of an extra $47 million into primary health care across the country.
Wairarapa has around 6,000 people aged 65 and over who - if registered with a participating interim PHO - become eligible today for cheaper doctor's visits and a maximum of $3 per item for most prescription items. (About 100,000 registered with Access-funded PHOs around the country are already benefiting).
From today, 73 PHOs will care for more than 3.5 million New Zealanders -almost two million of whom now have access to reduced or low-cost primary health care.
"It's a remarkable achievement for the huge number of health professionals who're involved in PHOs and the Wairarapa DHB," said Georgina Beyer.
"An extra $759 million is being invested over four years in primary health thanks to the government's commitment to building strong public services and improving the well being of all New Zealanders."
PHOs ALSO encourage primary care providers to explore new ways of keeping their populations well - in their community rather than in the hospital.
Georgina Beyer said she was also very pleased to see that people in Wairarapa with very high needs now could now use the services of Wairarapa PHO, one of 18 PHOs around the country that are part of the $26 million Care Plus initiative.
Care Plus helps people who visit their family doctor or nurse often because of significant chronic illnesses (such as diabetes or heart disease), acute medical or mental health needs or a terminal illness. They will get an initial comprehensive assessment and an individual care plan for achievable goals with regular follow-ups to help improve their quality of life.
For more information:
The Ministry of Health free helpline about PHOs: 0800 HLTH4U or 0800 252 464.
A free fax for the deaf or hearing impaired: 0800 329 644.
Website: www.moh.govt.nz/pho
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