Expressions of interest sought for Wakatipu health panel

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will call for expressions of interest tomorrow
(Wednesday) for two seats on a new independent Wakatipu health panel, QLDC Mayor
Vanessa van Uden said.

The recent National Health Panel report on health services in the Wakatipu included a
number of recommendations for future delivery of health services.

“One of them involved setting up a community reference group,” Mayor van Uden said.

The national panel recommended a membership of seven including: two health
professionals; Council and SDHB representation; and two community representatives. The
Council was now calling for expressions of interest for the two community positions on the
group to be known as the Wakatipu Heath Reference Panel.

“The Council is doing so as the facilitator of this new group. Once operational the panel will
act as an independent reference group,” Mayor van Uden said.

The community representatives should have an interest in the Wakatipu community, be
strategic in approach and excellent communicators.

“I anticipate this panel will see through some important changes to the delivery of health in
the Wakatipu. Maintaining a strong interface with the community throughout will be critical,
as will be adopting a facilitative and constructive approach,” Mayor van Uden said.

The Council wanted to hear from individuals as to what they could bring to the panel and
why they wanted to be involved, she said.

Expressions of interest should be sent to Wakatipu Health Reference Panel - Expression of
Interest c/o QLDC, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown, 9348.

Expressions of interest would close on Friday, 7 October 2011.E