Three high profile, respected Whanganui District Health Board members will be farewelled at today's board meeting.

Board Chair Kate Joblin said today, the valuable and significant contributions that Ailsa Stewart, Penaia Faumui (PJ) and Rana Waiti had made to the board, and their wealth of experience and expertise, would be sorely missed.

“Ailsa's knowledge around the history of the Wanganui Hospital and the trends and changes in health that have impacted on the hospital are extraordinary,” Mrs Joblin said. “We could always rely on Ailsa to remind us that something we were talking about is not really that new and has in fact been tried before. Her extensive nursing experience was also of great value.”

 Mrs Joblin said while she recognised that to work in the hospital and serve as a member of its governing body at the same time was not always easy for PJ, his ability to take the long- term view on key issues was much appreciated by herself and PJ’s fellow board members.

“PJ’s firm view during the obesity debate that we must invest in our children and their future through education and creating an environment where healthy choices are easy choices, is an excellent example of this,” Mrs Joblin said.

“And Rana held equally strong opinions. He could always be relied on to remind us in our discussions not to forget the everyday man and woman and make sure that we communicate well with our community.”

“Rana was a keen participant on the committee that reviewed and supported the move to improve the hospital's complaints process.  I remember very early how  in his term on the board Rana was passionate about the need to value all hospital staff - in particular the cleaners.”

The newly elected members to the Board are: Judith MacDonald and Ray Stevens whose three-year terms will begin on December 6.