Diana Kirton is Hawke’s Bay born and raised. She is married to Neil and they have 4 adult sons. Diana’s family has a long history in the medical profession. Her parents, Drs Peter and Charmian Fleischl, began practicing medicine in Napier 54years ago.

 

Diana graduated from Otago University in 1979. She has worked at the Royal Free Hospital in London as well as community health in Hawke’s Bay.

 

Diana Kirton has wide experience in the health sector focusing on community and mental health. Diana has extensive health board experience having served on the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board since 2001.

 

Diana is currently the Assistant Head of School for health, recreation and sport at EIT. She has a strong interest in ensuring health workers have access to appropriate, high quality training. Her highest priority is ensuring Cranford Hospice continues to provide the best possible palliative care for Hawke’s Bay people.

 

Top 5 Issues

1. CRANFORD HOSPICE
   I will continue to advocate for the very best palliative care services. I believe a caring and just community looks after the very young, the elderly and those most vulnerable at the end of their lives. Restoring Cranford Hospice services is something I feel very strongly about. Rebuilding hospice services must remain at the top of the board agenda until this goal is achieved.
   
   
2. PRIMARY CARE
   Providing good health care for people throughout the region from Wairoa to Central Hawke's Bay has to be a prioirity. We need more health services were people live. Services in all communities throughout Hawke's Bay with more primary health services is the way to improve the overall health status of the population.
   
3. ELDER CARE
   Hawke's Bay has a greater proportion of older people living here than most regions. We must plan for more and improved health services that are affordable for older people on fixed incomes. Care of the elderly has to remain high on the list of priorities for the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.
   

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