Over the last two days the Whanganui DHB board chair, chief executive and a general manager have been in Taihape holding individual meetings with each of the families who will be affected by the closure of the residential care facility.

Whanganui DHB chief executive Julie Patterson said the district health board’s priority, since being notified of the liquidation, has been to start to work with these families to find the second best option for them and their loved ones.

“We are incredibly impressed with the Taihape community. They have been so gracious and polite to us despite how they must be feeling” Mrs Patterson said.

Following the family meetings, close to 200 members of the Taihape community attended a public meeting held by the Whanganui District Health Board last night.

At the meeting, the board chair and senior management staff informed the community what the voluntary liquidation of Otaihape Health Limited means for the future of the Taihape health services and what that future might look like.

Mrs Patterson said that she is confident about the continuity of most of the services other than the residential care service.

“Following conversations with the liquidator, who is currently reviewing the books, I believe the probability is close to 100%, that the residential care service in Taihape will close.”

“I am expecting to hear from the liquidator, in the next few days, that Otaihape Health Limited cannot continue to provide residential care services. I do not realistically believe there is another provider who can successfully provide these services” said Mrs Patterson.

Many community members took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions at the two hour public meeting.