West Coast residents needing additional support to access health care services at Te Nīkau Hospital and Health Centre can now connect in with our Kaiatawhai team.

Equity Lead – Kaiatawhai Team Rachael Forsyth says, “our Kaiatawhai team provide a patient and whānau (family) focused support service at Greymouth’s Te Nīkau Hospital and Health Centre. We tautoko (support) and awhi (care for, nurture) whānau using a Te Ao Māori approach focused on emotional and cultural support as well as equitable access to health care to improve health outcomes.”

“It’s essential that we put whānau first by ensuring everyone using our services has the opportunity to establish tino rangatiratanga (self-determination). We do this by providing manaaki (support and care) and helping whānau navigate our health system. This includes helping patients connect with their primary care team and linking them to community services as needed.”

Our Kaiatawhai team provide two Whānau Ora support services. Our Whānau Ora – Korowai Whānau service, focuses on connecting with patients in the hospital’s general ward by letting them know what we do and offering them support during their stay. While our Whānau Ora – Long Term Conditions Management service engages with Māori and Pacific people who are overdue for a long-term conditions annual review. We support whānau by arranging appointments, meeting them beforehand and attending if asked. We also provide on-going support to ensure whānau attend any outpatient specialist appointments.

“It’s important to us that we connect with our most vulnerable whānau on Te Tai o Poutini to ensure they don’t slip through the cracks especially if they have limited faith in the health system. We aim to bridge that gap by building a trusting relationship with whānau and being there to awhi them along on their wellbeing journey,” says Ms Forsyth.

Whānau wanting to connect with our Kaiatawhai team can phone us on 0800 268 464 or send an email to kaiatawhai@wcdhb.health.nz, Monday to Friday during normal working hours.

ENDS

Photo: (left to right) Te Nīkau Hospital and Health Centre’s Kaiatawhai team Keri Hampton, Kim Sims, Rachael Forsyth, Malia Cardwell-Snowdon and Sherrie Marshall.

Photo: (left to right) Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre’s Kaiatawhai team Keri Hampton, Kim Sims, Rachael Forsyth, Malia Cardwell-Snowdon and Sherrie Marshall.