What can we do to make accessing healthcare easier for whānau?
That was the challenge our Pouwhakahaere, Kim Ngawhika, put to Nelson Bays Primary Health at its AGM last week, where she was invited to speak about findings from our Whānau Voice 2.0 report.
Kim shared what whānau across Te Tauihu told us about their experiences of healthcare, including the considerable effort many put into simply getting the care they need.
Making appointments, arranging transport, chasing referrals, taking time off work and navigating services that don’t always communicate with each other.
As Kim pointed out, whānau often become the people holding their own healthcare together, particularly when someone is already unwell.
She encouraged Nelson Bays Primary Health to consider what it could change, through the services it delivers, the practices it supports and the relationships it holds, to help lift some of that burden.
A big mihi to Nelson Bays Primary Health for the opportunity to share our findings and the lovely flowers for Kim!