Where do people stay while they are using the hyperbaric medicine and treatment facilities in the Mapua Health Centre? Are we, residents of Mapua, making these visitors and their families or support people welcome:  helping such visitors find good accommodation nearby, making them aware of the services available in the village  (library, 4 square, restaurants and cafe’s , community hall programs), and finding/offering transportation options when needed?

Hyperbaric treatment options in New Zealand are few and far between – so users /clients have to travel from afar . Sometimes their treatment requires longer term stays of several weeks or more, often with a family or support person. But where, specifically, can potential customers/clients find good information sources on conveniently located , possibly disability friendly support services – self catering accommodation, entertainment, food and supplies, exercise, transportation? Surely our DHB , or the Mapua Health Centre itself , could develop a “community board” or a facebook style social networking page to point enquiries to? This way, customers can in effect form a virtual support group to provide information to one another?

Word of mouth might work….but in the modern age it can work better.