Better, sooner, more convenient health care in Midlands

4 The Integrated Family Health CentreA local focus on taking control of the dayNew Plymouth (2xIFHC)Maru WehiLocated in New Plymouth, the centre was established in 2003 as part of an initiative to consolidatea broad range of kaupapa Maori and mainstream services on a single site. Services include a mix ofonsite and outreach services including a mobile bus service. The scope of services include GeneralPractice, traditional healing and rongoa, primary and whanau ora services, health promotionprogrammes, nursing, Tamariki Ora and Kaiawhina services, home based support services anddisability support services, community based specialist mental health services and employmentsupport services.Maru Wehi is well placed to lead an emerging model of care that aims to improve outcomes forwhanau. A whanau ora approach acknowledges that the needs of an individual are consideredin the context of the needs of their whanau and that the needs of each whanau are consideredin the context of the community that they live in or identify with. Meeting these needs requires amulti focused and coordinated response from service providers. A key principle of the model is anacknowledgment that achieving self determination is central to the wellbeing of all whanau. In thiscontext, services are multi-disciplinary team based, coordinated across sectors including health,social services and education agencies and, when required, are committed to the longer-term needsof the whanau. The model of care would be supported by a robust IT system that will link communityservices together with primary and secondary services.CarefirstCarefirst is the largest General Practice in Taranaki, located in New Plymouth. The doctors associatedto Carefirst are Dr Stephanus Schoeman, Dr Susan Oldfield, Dr Alison Gadsby, Dr Geoff Putt, DrGeoff Tvrdeich, Dr Dawn White, Dr Lucy Gibberd, Dr Vivienne Law, Dr Carey Nazzer, Dr AbagailPoole, Dr Amanda Brown, Dr Lester Kelly and Dr Tom Nicholson. Carefirst runs a walk in clinicseven days a week. Providers linked to this practice include a dietitian, cardiac clinic, men’s clinic,physiotherapy, radiology, plastic surgeon, minor surgery, pharmacy, aural micro-suction, cosmeticappearance clinic and visiting specialists.55