Partnership in healthcare for the mid north

Partnership in healthcare for the mid north

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Meeting the future healthcare needs for the people of the mid north is something Northland DHB has considered carefully.

Making the decision to upgrade Bay of Islands Hospital has also made way for an opportunity to partner with Ngāti Hine Health Trust in the development of a new Whānau Ora Centre (Integrated Family Health Centre) adjacent to the hospital.

Northland DHB chief executive Dr Nick Chamberlain says: “We are always looking for ways to strengthen partnerships in the delivery of healthcare services and, with the formalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ngāti Hine Health Trust last year, we are set to develop a purpose-built facility together.”

The plans for the hospital refurbishment are well underway and will see a new accident & medical department, which will also provide facilities for GPs to provide after-hours services. The accident & medical department will provide the interface to the Whānau Ora Centre with a single triage point to serve both the centre and hospital.

A new eight-bed renal unit is also being built in the courtyard between the maternity building and the existing general ward and the existing ward area will be refurbished to create a modernised 23-bed facility, nurses’ station, staff offices and patient discharge lounge, including a Chaplain’s room.

The Ngāti Hine Health Trust’s international award-winning early childhood centre Te Mirumiru, is guiding the design and build of the Whānau Ora Centre, to be far more than just co-location of healthcare providers. This project undertaken has a driven focus on a high level of care, based on promotion of health excellence and prevention of ill health, which will be provided to our communities within this centre.

Ngāti Hine Health Trust’s chief operating officer, Maxine Shortland says: “Our vision is that healing starts when you walk into the Whānau Ora Centre by promoting and demonstrating the holistic philosophy of health and wellbeing.”

The design features of the Whanau Ora Centre, will demonstrate Eco environment efficiencies, such as low maintenance of natural materials and vegetation, wastewater, passive heating and cooling systems.

Two GP practices from Kawakawa and one from Moerewa will work together in the Whānau Ora Centre. Other services will include community and specialist nurses, health promotion kaimahi, telemedicine and laboratory services, a dispensary, podiatrist, physiotherapists, a radiography suite, dental surgeries, gymnasium and an after-hours GP sleep-over suite. The existing hospital kitchen facilities are also moving into the Whānau Ora Centre and will provide the meals for the hospital and staff cafeteria.

Northland DHB is investing $8 million to fund the new accident and medical department, new renal unit and refurbishment of the other areas of the hospital. Ngāti Hine Health Trust is funding the Whānau Ora Centre working with local GPs, iwi and the community in the design and model of care.

Construction is planned to start in October 2015 with a completion date early to mid-2016.

ENDS

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