The public is invited to a community health forum at the Memorial Hall Supper Room from 4.30-5.45pm on Thursday, May 16. 

The forum, organised by MidCentral DHB, will update the community about progress in the priority areas identified within the Ōtaki Health and Wellbeing Plan. They are: 

• access to healthcare – having easy access to healthcare when people need it
• mental health and addiction – improved mental

health and addiction support in communities 

• better communication and connection – quality communications and connections between health services, people,whānauand communities 
• healthy living – a well community where everyone is supported to have quality living, and healthy and active lives.

People will be able to give feedback to the DHB and Ōtaki’s Health & Wellbeing Advisory Group about the key issues affecting health and wellbeing. 

Community engagement to develop the Ōtaki Health and Wellbeing Plan was done in 2017. The DHB says it now needs to see if the community priorities and focus areas are the same as those identified in the plan development, or if there are new issues. 

The forum will include a presentation from the DHB and the chance for people to move around stations related to the priority areas and feedback areas. 

For information, contact Angela Rainham: angela.rainham@midcentraldhb.govt.nz