Media Release
3 February 2011

Nurses Organisation congratulates new Horowhenua health clinic

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) sends it congratulations to Horowhenua’s newest health clinic, the “Waiting-List Clinic”, which opens its door today.

Central Primary Health Organisation (PHO) clinical director and director of nursing at MidCentral DHB, Chiquita Hansen says that a shortage of GPs in the area and the impact of a major initiative to up-skill nurses are the reasons behind the clinic.

“The clinic is for the many hundreds of people in the Horowhenua who are currently without a GP. The health services provided will be led by nurses, with support from doctors. Vicki Bryant and Faye Haerewa are the two nurses who will be staffing the service and we are very proud that both these nurses are close to becoming nurse practitioners.”

“The Waiting-List Clinic will increase collaboration with Māori and iwi health providers and district health board services. Our service will ensure that everyone in our community has access to high quality health care,” Ms Hansen says.

NZNO is a keen supporter of the “nurse-led” clinic model. Many New Zealanders can't afford to see a doctor or live in areas where there is a shortage of GPs. Nurse-led clinics provides a service that means the health needs of the population are met, with nurses working efficiently and referring patients on to GPs when required.

NZNO policy adviser and researcher, Dr Jill Clendon points out that people seek medical care for various reasons; when they are sick and also when they are well, eg for cervical smear and hearing tests, small wounds, immunisations, health information and other nursing care.

“We need to use our health workforce wisely to ensure the appropriate level of professional health care is available to everyone, because early identification and treatment of problems improves health outcomes and reduces demand for more complex care.”

“Nurses are clinicians who are trained to recognise when medical or other intervention and referral is necessary. Using nurses to give frontline health care ensures much wider access to health services and frees doctors to deliver medical care,” Dr Clendon says.

ENDS

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