Horowhenua Health Centre comes of age
Otaki MP Nathan Guy launched two new patient services at the Horowhenua Integrated Family Health Centre yesterday, on behalf of the Minister of Health Tony Ryall.
"The National Government has focussed on better, sooner, more convenient healthcare. We have a big focus on patients being treated closer to home wherever possible,” says Mr Guy.
The first new service is the 'Recovery at Home' service, involving GPs and district nurses working together to treat patients at home rather than in hospital.
"Since a trial by MidCentral DHB began in June this year, nurses have helped 106 patients and enabled 80 people to recover at home.
"We know that most patients are happier and healthier being treated in their own home rather than a long stay in hospital.
"The second new service is the 'Health of Older People Team' that involves two nurse practitioners, with GP support, providing extra support to elderly patients.
"They provide a greater range of primary health care services in the community for elderly residents, and coordinate between providers to improve support for the frail elderly living in residential care.
"These new services will build on other programmes already in place at the Horowhenua Health Centre, such as the fully integrated Mental Health service, and the Paediatric Child Health Service.
"Horowhenua patients can now access a full range of services from GPs and laboratory, to radiology and pharmacy, all in the one location.
"It’s very pleasing that GP waiting lists have dropped from around 1700 last year to zero. This has been achieved through nurses seeing patients and referring them onto GPs, and the merging of several GP practices into the HIFHC.
"This also builds on the 24/7 paramedic service provided by St John, which received $700,000 in Government funding announced by Prime Minister John Key when visiting Levin recently."
"The National Government has focussed on better, sooner, more convenient healthcare. We have a big focus on patients being treated closer to home wherever possible,” says Mr Guy.
The first new service is the 'Recovery at Home' service, involving GPs and district nurses working together to treat patients at home rather than in hospital.
"Since a trial by MidCentral DHB began in June this year, nurses have helped 106 patients and enabled 80 people to recover at home.
"We know that most patients are happier and healthier being treated in their own home rather than a long stay in hospital.
"The second new service is the 'Health of Older People Team' that involves two nurse practitioners, with GP support, providing extra support to elderly patients.
"They provide a greater range of primary health care services in the community for elderly residents, and coordinate between providers to improve support for the frail elderly living in residential care.
"These new services will build on other programmes already in place at the Horowhenua Health Centre, such as the fully integrated Mental Health service, and the Paediatric Child Health Service.
"Horowhenua patients can now access a full range of services from GPs and laboratory, to radiology and pharmacy, all in the one location.
"It’s very pleasing that GP waiting lists have dropped from around 1700 last year to zero. This has been achieved through nurses seeing patients and referring them onto GPs, and the merging of several GP practices into the HIFHC.
"This also builds on the 24/7 paramedic service provided by St John, which received $700,000 in Government funding announced by Prime Minister John Key when visiting Levin recently."