As we near Christmas and the year’s end, it’s also a good opportunity to reflect on some of the key developments at Nelson Bays Primary Health.

 

It’s certainly been a very busy year with a shift to our spacious new premises in New Street. While causing a little disruption, this has enabled us to grow not only physically but also as an organisation. Having meeting room spaces for the wider community to use has brought our offices to life and the corridor meetings are where some of the best things happen.  

 

Some of the more prominent projects and activities currently underway include the Golden Bay Integrated Health Services Establishment Project where steady progress continues. Current efforts include investigating suitable sites, holding clinical & patient workshops as well working with the DHB around expectations and relationships.

 

500 or so health checks have  been completed since the commencement of the Vascular Programme (Be Well Health Check) in July. Our team continues to provide ongoing support and assistance to practices.

 

About 260 service users have utilised the Primary Mental Health Initiative. Depression is the most common reason for referral and the demand for psychological assessments has been high. 

 

The Community Nutrition Service Dietitians continue to work with practices at various levels and continue to develop the service within the wider community. Our new Pharmacy Facilitator has met with all pharmacies in the region and looks forward to enabling pharmacies to better link in with wider health activity in the region. 

 

The development of general practice and other community-based teams continue to flourish as part of out commitment to Workforce Development through continuing education, quality improvement and enhanced networking opportunities.

 

We have also been increasingly working with a wider range of organisations that influence health. Some of these include local councils, ACC and the Department of Labour, local industry, local Marae, NGOs such as the Deaf Association, Refugee Services Aotearoa, National Heart Foundation and Strengthening Families to name but a few. Looking to 2009 we look forward to strengthening and further widening these connections and being of assistance to all where we can.

 

Please feel free to ask about any of these initiatives - we welcome any enquiries.

Introducing Hanna O'Neill 

Our new Be Well Lifestyles team member

 

At the end of October Hanna joined the Be Well Nutrition Team as a Community Dietitian in a part-time capacity.  Hanna recently moved to Nelson from Wellington where she completed her Dietetic Post Graduate Diploma and 3.5 years of clinical experience.  “It is very exciting to be in the South Island as I am originally from Christchurch. I look forward to learning new skills and working through the challenges that are often faced with our work.”  Hanna spends the rest of her working week at Nelson Marborough DHB as an outpatient dietitian. 

 

 

Great News for Men’s Health

NBPH is pleased to announce that it has been successful in its application to the Ministry of Health for the Men’s Health Innovation Fund. As one of eleven successful applications among some 53 proposals, NBPH will be undertaking this project through 2009. The project will see action research being undertaken among a small group of health and social service organisations with the aim of improving their ability to effectively meet the needs of men. This project will complement other work being done across Nelson Marlborough in the areas of men’s and tane health in 2009.

 

For more information on this and associated projects please contact glenn.thomas@nelsonpho.org.nz

 

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