Tarawera Medical Centre celebrates 25 years in Kawerau

This month marks 25 years since the Tarawera Medical Centre opened as Kawerau’s first ever medical centre, the town having previously been served by solo practices. Celebrations kicked off today with the blessing of our recently extended and refurbished facilities. The blessing was performed by George Raerino and Graham Te Rire and attended by a large group from the wide team that we work with in the community. These included the Mayor, representatives from Whakatane Hospital, the Eastern Bay of Plenty Health Aliance, Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau Hauora, Kawerau and Tarawera Pharmacies, Tarawera High School, Community Respiratory nurses and School Rheumatic fever prevention team. It was great to share this celebration with some of the broader team we have worked with to provide Primary Care to the Kawerau population over the past quarter century. It is these long established relationships that help us to efficiently access the necessary services for our patients. Margaret Paul was recognised for her long service, having been practice nurse at one of the practices prior to amalgamation into the Tarawera Medical Centre.

Mayor, Malcolm Campbell, expressed kind words of appreciation for the dedication and quality of service provided to the community, especially through the trying times after the departure of Dr. Ian Bissett, and this was echoed by Chris Marjoribanks from the Hauora. Michele Murray from EBPHA also commented on the quality of the practice and complimented the practice as being the first to have completed Cornerstone reaccreditation. Since the arrival of Dr. Aidan Williams in early 2013 and the return of Dr. Louisa Barter in late 2013 we have at last returned to a decent staffing level and this was further improved when Dr. Byrdie Johnson began in March this year.

After the blessing and speeches it was great to enjoy some lunch and a warm drink with our guests before getting back into a busy afternoon of work. Fortunately the weather smiled on us and there were no urgent PRIME callouts like the one Dr. Lavelle had attended earlier in the day – the clinics had been so busy through the morning that it seemed we may not finish in time for the planned 12:30 start. Special thanks to Jeanette Edwards and the rest of the staff that put all the time into organising the day.