Media
Kenepuru Accident and Medical Service
Letter to the Editor: 22-08-07
Like your correspondent, Ken Rae (21 Aug.), I too am alarmed at the prospect of having a private provider, at the entry to Kenepuru Hospital. The Board has made no decision regarding this, and I was concerned that it was presented as otherwise by management.
It is fundamental to the provision of a good public health service-that entry be freely accessible and integrated with the remainder of the hospital services, whether they be at Kenepuru or Wellington. A and M. is at the entrance
.I have always had reservations about having a general practitioner, fee paying, primary service located in a hospital when it rightly belongs in the heart of the community. It is the reverse of what the Health Board and Government have been trying to do-to focus on primary health in the community and keep people out of hospitals.
The 24 hour Accident and Medical Service at Kenepuru has to improve, and I will fight for that to happen in the best possible way. Contracting such an integral part of the hospital and health service is not the way.
Helene Ritchie
Capital and Coast District Health Board Board Member
Conflict of Interest: Capital and Coast District Health Board
Press statement: 27-08-07
Capital and Coast District Health Board Member Helene Ritchie is seeking to change the conflict of interest Policy recently adopted by the Board.
Dr Peter Dady a Board member has filed proceeding in the court saying that it will be impossible for clinical staff to seek election.
She will raise the issue at the next Board meeting under General Business.
" I value the input of clinical staff on the Board. In the interest of the Board, and of patients and of Doctors who might sit on the Board, I will seek the deletion of the words in the recently adopted Conflict of Interest rules for the Board:
The first: "A Board member who is also an employee should advise the CEO/Chair before making any adverse statement and discuss this matter with the CEO/Chair The second: A Board member who is also an employee should not discuss any matter with a claimant or interested person before discussing the matter with the CEO/Chair."
The first denies civil rights of Board Members, and the second may intrude on the rights of patients and of Doctors in the patient-Doctor confidential relationship.
It is very important that Doctor -patient confidentiality is never breached. The perception that it might be is not a healthy one.
The policy is too controlling.
The policy is not necessary. It will not advance the cause of health and medicine and may detract from it.
It should however, not be necessary to go to Court over this matter. The policy can be simply amended without any harm to anyone.
I trust that common and good sense will prevail.
Shocking Waterfront News: Helene Ritchie calls for Moratorium
13-09-07
"Over the next few years, Wellington's wonderful waterfront will become a series of construction sites. There are eleven major construction sites planned.
That means that for a good part of the rest of my life I and many Wellingtonians, we, will not be able to enjoy the leisure and pleasure of the waterfront without industrial disruption and ugliness.
Danger Keep Out, Construction signs will dot the waterfront.
Helene Ritchie, mayoral candidate is calling for a three year moratorium on all new building on the waterfront, except where legal agreement exists.
She's also calling for waterfront management to come under direct Council control.
"Council needs to review the wisdom of proceeding apace and in the process ruining the waterfront as it has become-a place of open space and recreation," she said.
And she's got a possible solution for the over 2000 sports people who will be displaced by the Hilton hotel should it go ahead, but she wants to hear from them first before she makes it public.
" I'm an appellant against the Hilton Hotel. The adjourned Hearing has yet to reconvene on the 18 October so I cannot say much. What I can say is that I am joined by thousands behind me who oppose the Hilton on the Outer T.
There should instead be a competition as promised for that special site on the Outer T of Queens Wharf in the heart of the waterfront of the Capital. The view of the harbour and the hills there is the iconic view that is Wellington, "
Helene Ritchie, Wellington's longest serving councillor and first woman deputy mayor is calling for the people of Wellington to save their waterfront with their vote.
"Nothing else will. It is the last chance," she said.
Hilton Hotel Anger
28-08-06
Wellington City Councillor Helene Ritchie is urging thousands of Wellingtonians to stand up and be counted.
"Wellingtonians should oppose the Waterfront (Outer 'T' hotel) with a fury that only Wellingtonians can express when protecting their waterfront. This Hilton hotel proposal has a major and impact on the site, the coastal (foreshore) and marine ( seabed) environment, and is detrimental to the wider public.
I will be sending my own opposing submission by 4 P.M. on February 27 to the Greater Wellington Regional Council with a copy to the applicant as required. Wellingtonians should do likewise and are welcome in addition to send a copy of their submission to me as well if they wish
.There are many reasons to oppose.
There are highly significant impact issues: visual, environmental, access, traffic, safety and others.
Wonderful Wellington recreational activities will be displaced for the sake of 142 bedrooms. These sporting activities have been developed by imaginative and entrepreneurial Wellingtonians, such as the kayaking, boating, climbing, and indoor sports and practice, and are enjoyed by thousands of Wellingtonians and visitors. They are unique to an inner City waterfront environment accessible to CBD workers. It is no fluke that they have evolved. Just like the Wellington Rowing Club, they are under threat of displacement or even closure.
These recreational activities are much more symbolic of us as Wellingtonians than a Hotel for a privileged few, at the expense of the wider public.
There are many other reasons why this application should be opposed and declined. This Hilton Hotel proposal on this site, is contrary to Council policy, as expressed in the Wellington Waterfront Framework in many fundamental ways.
The Outer 'T' is described in Council policy, as "a special and unique site-a focus for the waterfront..." The policy says that "a structure that reflects this "iconic' nature" could be located on the "Outer 'T'...a competition should be held, to explore options ( none has been held).
There is nothing iconic, ( specially symbolic of Wellington or New Zealand) about a Hilton Hotel. Red herrings will be dredged up in argument for the hotel such as the "ugliness" of the existing building (Shed 1) (this is a quite separate discussion) and comment that we need the hotel for movie stars and film crews. This is rubbish: Two Box Office Busters: Lord of the Rings and King Kong have been produced without this hotel.
I am not against a luxury hotel as such. There are fantastic other sites which could be pursued. This is not the first time I have suggested his.
Far from being iconic, this proposal is abhorrent to many Wellingtonians on this site.
Hilton Hotel
Dominion Post: 8-09-07
Developers
Dominion Post: 8-09-07
Breast Cancer Leave
Enough is Enough
Correction by Dominion Post: Council Attendance
86.3% not 36.2 as inaccurately reported
5-09-07
Wellingtonian
6-09-07
