DOT WILSON … candidate for Southland District Health Board

Dot is standing again for the SDHB - here is some information that she has provided to us that may help you make your decision on voting day!

Personal profile:

I have a family of three, and am grandmother to six grandchildren.

My life experiences have been shaped by a physical disability, resulting in long relationships with hospital services.

I have worked in the area of advocacy for people with disability, teaching self-advocacy, human rights and motivation, and encouraging people to work together to make changes toward a more inclusive society.

I am an elected member of the Southland District Health Board serving on the Disability Services Advisory Committee and chair to Kaitiaki Hauora, secretary for Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) Southland, member of National Executive of DPA (NZ), chair to DPA Women’s Caucus, and DPA representative to the Workbridge Council.

I will bring to the DHB my skills, knowledge and experience from a grassroots perspective, identifying with all people but especially disabled people. I believe in supporting, encouraging and empowering all people. I believe in, and support self-advocacy and advocacy on behalf of disabled people.

I will endeavour to ensure that the Southland District Health Board provides inclusive and accessible services, and achieves best practice for all.

The issues I will focus on for the Southland DHB are:

- That Southlanders have the right to healthcare which is inclusive and accessible.
- That Southlanders have the right to know what they are entitled to, and how to access it.
- That all staff receives appropriate values based training from skilled people.
- The bridging of gaps between decision makers and the people of Southland.

Geraldine Woods confirmed DDG - Health & Disability Services

The Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan is pleased to confirm Geraldine Woods as the Deputy Director-General Health and Disability National Services. There was significant interest in the position, both from within the Ministry and from the sector reflecting the general support for our renewed focus on sector success. Geraldine was the stand-out candidate and her appointment reinforces the strong performance and leadership she has shown in both the interim role and her previous roles. Geraldine has held a number of senior Government roles at Health, the NZ Employment Service, Work and Income and the Ministry of Social Development. Geraldine will be responsible for leading the Directorate and assuming responsibility for planning, funding and providing services not currently funded by District Health Boards. A significant part of the Directorate's work will be planning as well as funding and contracting. The directorate will be working with DHBs and other sector agencies to align the provision of those services with local planning and delivery.

MAY DAY DISABILITY EXPO 2008

Planning is well underway for May Day 2008 (3rd May 2008). We were bursting at the seams in 2007, so have booked the Invercargill Workingmen's Club to cater for more exhibitors. We already have 27 exhibitors registering their interest. The expo is a great opportunity for organisations big and small to promote their services, products and gain new members. Don't miss out!! Register now. Contact Diane or Shirley at DRC.

CONSUMER SUMMIT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

DRC Southland is offering sponsorship for one person to attend the 2nd National Consumer’s Summit in Auckland on the 26th November 2007. The successful applicant will be a Consumer from a health and disability consumer or community-based group who is actively involved in health and disability issues. It is also appropriate for consumer representatives on advisory boards and committees to apply.

This is a great opportunity to participate in an event that is aimed at giving consumers a greater voice and involvement in decision-making, policy development and monitoring of health and disability services. In return for this sponsorship, the successful applicant will be required to show how they have utilized the knowledge gained from the Summit and shared this with other local consumers. This may be a joint presentation with the DRC Consumer Advisory Group member who is also attending the Summit.

The sponsorship includes return airfares to Auckland from Invercargill. Airport to hotel transfers. Two nights accommodation and meals. We cannot offer to pay the costs for any support person to accompany the successful applicant. You must be available to fly to Auckland on the 25th November and return to Invercargill on the 27th of November.

Further information about the Summit can be accessed on the internet site:
http://www.nzgg.org.nz/index.cfm?fuseaction=specialfocus&fusesubaction=docs&documentID=336
Or contact Carol at DRC Southland on 03 2145000 or 0800 100 531.
Or click here to email Carol.

Applications should be submitted on the official form which can be obtained from DRC as above.
The closing date for applications is Friday 14th September.
We look forward to hearing from you!