Health Te Aroha is a leader in providing rural medical care and support, and as part of this innovative approach the practise has undertaken to create and support a Patient Participation Group (PPG).
The role of a PPG includes:
As a patient-led group, we are linked to Health Te Aroha and work alongside GPs and practice staff to provide a patient perspective on healthcare services that are offered to the community.
Ideally our Patient Participation Group will include patients that reflect the diversity of the Te Aroha community. Currently we have a small committee of seven but would welcome several more community orientated people.
So, if you have suggestions as to how we could improve the patient experience at Health Te Aroha please let us know, contact our Patient Participation Group at PPGHTA@gmail.com
I have lived in the Te Aroha area for most of my life and am currently dairy farming in Waihou.
Jenny and I have been happily married for 20 years and have two sons, Conor, and Hamish.
In 2015 I completed a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Waikato.
Currently I am the President of Waikato Federated Farmers, as well as a trustee on several other committees and boards.
In my spare time I enjoy playing golf, reading, and following my son’s sports.
I was born in Te Aroha in 1940 and have lived within the community all my life.
I have always been a dairy farmer before retiring at 67, Farming and the support of Rural communities remains my life long interest. I married Flo, 54years ago.
While having been involved with several volunteer organisations over the years, my focus today is my wife and family of 4 children and 10 grandchildren, the Te Aroha Co-operating Parish, Active service as a Justice of the Peace, Chairperson of the Local Community Patrol and the Rotary Club of Te Aroha.
I have experienced “health” from various aspects too. I met Flo in Southland Hospital when I had a major epistaxis event. I have had a number of surgeries, such as appendectomy, stripped various veins, etc. often followed by secondary haemorrhage. I have also had Diabetes following an ATV Accident and Cardiac Failure which was corrected by ablations.
Over the years I have supported Flo in her role as a nurse and her involvement in Plunket for almost 25 years after the children went off to school. I have always regarded animal health as a priority in my farming practice and would always be involved in the treatment of animal diseases
I have always been a patient of this practice and its predecessors
I was born and lived in Auckland until moving to Te Aroha 14 years ago with husband Norman. We have been married 45 years and have a daughter, and 4 grandsons who were born in Te Aroha.
Prior to retirement I was finance officer at Te Aroha Hospital. Before coming to the Waikato I worked for 10 years in the non-profit sector and have a Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management. My last position in Auckland was managing a large Home Care service which cared for the elderly, and the disabled of any age.
I am very involved with the Te Aroha Dramatic Society where I enjoy all aspects of theatre be it on or off stage. I help look after my grandsons and have a busy social life.
Health is high in my area of interest so being part of this PPG is important to me. I look forward to liaising with the community; bringing people's concerns and suggestions back to the Group.
I’ve lived in Te Aroha my whole life I have married and had all my children here. My husband and I enjoy the rural life and overall community in Te Aroha. I have been with Health Te Aroha as a patient since I was a child and am looking forward to hearing your suggestions on how to improve the overall patient experience
Nine years ago I followed my older daughter to Te Aroha. It was the old story, she had met a Kiwi in London, he lived in Te Aroha and, soon, so did she. My younger daughter and her husband now live in Auckland.
I feel so lucky to have found this town – I have been made very welcome. I volunteer at YES, play bridge, sing in the Community Choir, belong to a book club, love my family and use my listening skills, gained as a counsellor, to help whomever I can. My interest in the human condition is deep and wide.
I was delighted to be asked to join this committee. My hope is that the whole community will work together to find solutions to the challenges that arise in the patient/doctor relationship and that we will help Health Te Aroha continue to be a shining example of an excellent and co-operative practice.
I have lived sixty eight of my sixty nine years in Waihou. I am married to Sally and have three children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
I was a volunteer ambulance driver for twenty plus years and am currently a board member of our Community Hospital. I am also president of the Hearing Association and a Trustee of the Waihou Undernominational Church restoration committee.
My wife, Sally, and I have been in business in Te Aroha for over forty years.
My interests are politics, comparative religion and bike riding.
I love my community and try to help where possible.
Te Aroha is a beautiful town. My husband and I have been locals our whole lives. I attended Waitoa Primary School as a child, then moved onto Te Aroha College for my secondary years. We currently live in town, raising our 4 children. If you have any ideas on how Health Te Aroha could improve your experience let one of us know. Choose a face and make contact via email
