FREE clinic a fabulous idea
Brilliant idea THE free ‘health clinic’ for dogs held at Centennial Park on Sunday afternoon was a brilliant idea. Many thanks to all the Pound Hounds Rescue members, Waitomo District Council staff, vets and volunteers who spent hours making sure every dog (registered or not) got a free parvo vax, flea and worm treatment and microchip (if wanted). Hundreds of local dogs now have a healthier, safer and happier future. For free. Good on you whoever came up with this idea. You deserve a pat. And a treat. R Kay Te Kūiti
Wrap review I HAVE recently been informed that the executive of the Support House has reviewed the way the Christmas Wrap will be done this year. I would like to thank all those “Christmas Elves” who have been a valuable part of the Ōtorohanga Christmas Wrap over many years. Thanks to the local community who have supported it in so many ways. It has been wonderful to have been a part of bringing joy to so many. Sadly the executive has decided that our services are no longer required A Berrigan Ōtorohanga
Missing out on health ANYONE who’s been to an emergency department knows the wait to be seen by a doctor or nurse can be long — now up to 24 hours in some cases. New Zealand is 4000 nurses short. But the rate of overseas nurses applying for work visas has dropped by up to 60%. All year, the Immigration Minister has been misleading the country with the nonsense claim that offering a fast-track to residency wouldn’t attract more nurses. Well, Minister, it’s a strategy that’s working for other countries. Kiwis are missing out on potentially life-saving treatment because of the critical shortage. The Government needs to put nurses on the fast-track to residency immediately. It makes no sense they aren’t when food technologists get residence straight away. I think every Kiwi would want to receive life-saving care regardless of where the nurse comes from. Labour’s obsessed with its ideological immigration reset, that it’s willing to see hospital wait times continue to blow out rather than just offering migrant nurses residence. Barbara Kuriger, MP Taranaki-King Country
