Authorised by Helene Ritchie, 101 Wakefield Street, Wellington
Helene for Health
Experience Counts! |
Wellington’s first woman deputy mayor; former Labour Leader; registered psychologist, business woman, Health Board member, and the longest serving City Councillor in the Capital, brings extensive governance, civic, professional, and business experience to the Board.
She successfully fought for Ward 27’s (mental health) long overdue upgrade; and works to improve home/community support; mental health; cancer; child; elderly, disability, dementia services. |
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Outspoken |
She's always been outspoken for the “ordinary” person from Kapiti to Porirua to Wellington and for quality accessible health/hospital services; for responsible financing and practice.
"Personal and family experience of system gaps in at least 10 key areas motivates me to improve some parts for others. I remain impressed with the dedication of the doctors and nurses.” "We need elected members with guts and experience, determined to speak out, be vigilant and to save and improve services." |
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Helene's book, "Peter and Me: When a Love Story becomes a carer’s anguish", was published this year. It aims to give voice to isolated and exploited carers with supremely challenging and relentless tasks, especially but not only, to those in private homes and in rest homes; and to expose fundamental issues about humanity and failed systems.
It also shines light on dementia and the unique challenges for carers. |
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"I am calling for a Royal Commission (time limited), with a “bi-partisan” Parliamentary commitment to its recommendations, to produce a cohesive, accessible, viable, quality system. One of the greatest challenges we face now and in future in health is the care of our elderly, quality caring, and support for carers at home. We simply have to find innovative, quality and affordable ways.
In the end, a society , a country and a government is best judged by how it looks after its weakest and most vulnerable citizens. " |
