Hi-tech health care
Jessica Wauchop
Gisborne and the East Coast are the first in New Zealand to reap the immense health benefits from world-class technology.
The new state-of-the-art Scriptpro drug-dispensing robot from the United States was launched last night by Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia to rapturous applause.
Sun City Pharmacy, in conjunction with Ngati Porou Hauora, will now be able to provide pharmaceutical services to people and doctors up the East Coast.
The machine is capable of teleconferencing, meaning pharmacists in Gisborne will be only a mouse click away for doctors and patients at Te Puia Hospital.
People on the Coast will be able to go to "depots" and use a camera to talk to a pharmacist or show them what their concern is. The pharmacist can prescribe then and there and send medicines up the Coast by courier.
Mr Horomia said it was a really important night for the region.
"If this machine can improve the health of our Maori tamariki it is a great thing," he said.
"It is very special because it is the first in New Zealand . . . Maori on the Coast will live longer thanks to this technology."
The machine also translates drug instructions and labels into Maori, which Mr Horomia said was great to see.
The launch of the robot fulfils Sun City Pharmacy owner Peter Barron's longstanding promise to the people of the East Coast.
"I left Invercargill in 1976, expecting to go on my OE but didn't get further than the East Coast," he said.
"I ended up buying a pharmacy and made an undertaking with Aunty Ngoi (Ngoi Pewhairangi) that I would always ensure the Coast had access to safe pharmaceutical services.
"We are putting these machines in Christchurch, Invercargill and Timaru but I wanted Gisborne to be the first because of that promise.
"The Coast, like most rural communities, has long struggled to get pharmaceutical services and staff. I have a vision that rural areas will have the same health services as people in the cities and because of this innovative technology, it has happened.
"I know the doctors at Te Puia are very excited about this."
Mr Barron said the robot, which was used differently in the US, would be hugely beneficial as it freed- up pharmacists to spend time talking to customers.
"I essentially want to take their job from them and give it to this machine. Our pharmacists leave university with this whole basket of knowledge but come to work in a dispensary and use only 10 percent of that knowledge.
"We want them on the floor, talking to people and using that whole basket."
The robot also prevents cross -contamination of drugs.
East Coast kaumatua Phil Aspinall said he was privileged to be there to see the launch of the "future of Maori and East Coast healthcare".
"It is great to be here for the launch of this robot which is going to do a lot of good for us here in Gisborne and on the Coast."
Mayor Meng Foon thanked Mr Barron for bringing the technology to the region.