Nurse Jenni Duncan and Peter Ellison, WellSouth Associate Māori Health Officer
WellSouth nursing staff are making phone calls to Māori patients enrolled with GPs in the Southern district, checking on their health and well-being and offering influenza vaccinations.
Patients contacted are asked – How are you? How are your whānau? Do you have any health concerns? People contacted so far have appreciated the gesture.
“We want to ensure Māori access health services and we want to help general practice maintain connections with Māori communities,” says Peter Ellison, WellSouth Associate Māori Health Officer. “WellSouth has a commitment to achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori, and we’re working together with Iwi, hapū, whānau, Māori providers and communities.”
Gilbert Taurua, Chief Māori Health Strategy and Improvement Officer, says the COVID-19 lockdown may have prevented some people from accessing the health care they need.
“Māori are likely to face an increased burden of worsening outcomes from both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 health conditions during lockdown. These wellness calls to Māori patients is our proactive strategy to reach out to this population and better understand their needs from a holistic perspective.”
Initially trialled in Dunedin, Māori wellness checks will be rolled out across the district.
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Better Health South - Board Update August 2020
