 WAIKOHU Health Centre whānau experiencing distress, anxiety, or low mood, are being supported by a new team of kaimahi.
Health coaches are an emerging workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand. They’re helping general practice teams look after whānau who need support with psychosocial issues such as stress, isolation, or worry. “Their mahi is to support people by being available to respond in the moment,” says Tracey Crosbie, who is one of two health improvement practitioners working in general practice, helping generate referrals. “Our wonderful coaches help build people’s motivation and capability to better understand and self-manage their physical and emotional wellbeing needs.” Turanga Health’s four health coaches come from a variety of backgrounds. Rhonda Pohatu is an experienced kaiāwhina who has worked in bowel screening, smoking cessation, and Whānau Ora. Amanda Prebble has a background in recruitment with LeaderBrand and Gisborne District Council, Dawn Tamanui used to work as a supported coordinator with ACC, and Tracey White has come from a hospitality background. If Waikohu Health Centre general practitioner Mark Devcich or nurse practitioner Kylie Moressey think a person would benefit from support with mental health, they can refer them to the in-house health improvement practitioner at the time of presentation. In recent months Tracey has seen many whānau still reeling from the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. After creating a plan with the person in need, and or their whānau, Tracey will then hand the person over to a health coach. The barrier-free service is called Te Whatu Aho Rua. Turanga Health’s primary care practitioner Dr Patrick McHugh says people do not require a previous or current mental health diagnosis to be seen. Te Whatu Aho Rua gives general practitioners another tool to use. “Rather than applying a disease-centred approach, we’re adopting a wellness framework.” Te Whatu Aho Rua is reducing wait times for support. It’s a free service with referral criteria aimed at increasing access and equity for whānau who need help at a time when they are feeling vulnerable or low. The service is intended for brief interventions. In the past six months Turanga Health’s team have met with 173 referred whānau. Tracey says whānau are grateful to have been able to lead the process. “It’s a bottom-up approach. This is their journey, and we respond to what they are asking for, as well as using our own assessment tools.”
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