Te Hiku Hauora Kaitaia Health Centre is one of three GP practices in the Far North that offer Te Tumu Waiora. Photo / Peter Jackson
Te Hiku Hauora Kaitaia Health Centre is one of three GP practices in the Far North that offer Te Tumu Waiora. Photo / Peter Jackson
A mental health programme rolled out in 2019 has proven successful with nearly 10,000 Northlanders receiving help within the last year.
Te Tumu Waiora is a primary mental health service embedded in general practices and offers patients access to effective mental health briefings by trained Health Improvement Practitioners (HIP).
Clinical psychologist Tara Mueller was one of two HIPs who led the Te Tumu Waiora pilot in Northland and said the service was about catching people in the preventative state.
"Te Tumu Waiora is about integrating behavioural health into general practices to offer a wider breadth of care," Mueller said.
It's a free service currently offered in 19 Northland GP clinics and is open to any patient who experiences mental distress.
Mueller said patients presented with all kinds of concerns – from lack of sleep or issues to navigate daily life with a broken bone, to stress induced by chronic illness.
HIP session can help people to implement treatment plans practically and suitable for their lives, support them in understanding their medical conditions or find new pathways for coping.
"Our work is all about helping people to be more engaged in their own health and make informed decisions to lead a meaningful life.
Bush Road Medical Centre in Kamo is one of six GP practices in Whangārei that have a HIP. Photo / John Stone
Mueller explains her role with an example of a patient who presents with gout and doesn't know how to manage their pain.
The HIP would then talk to the patient about the illness, find out what might have caused the flare-up and find a way to prevent further flare-ups in the future.
Troubles with falling asleep is another example. Mueller said patients typically see their GP to get a prescription for sleeping pills. Instead, the HIP would investigate what causes the sleep deprivation and tackle the issue from its root.
"A HIP's role is also about upskilling the clinics," Mueller said. All staff, from the reception team to nurses and doctors, are trained to identify which patients might require a meeting with a HIP.
Te Tumu Waiora also engaged health coaches who work alongside the HIPs encouraging patients to identify their own priorities for change and supporting them to find the resources, tools, and supports to meet their goals.
Mueller said while they knew from the get-go that Te Tumu Waiora would be successful after trials in the United States and Auckland had shown good results, the feedback from GP clinics was overwhelmingly positive.
"They say they don't know how they managed patients' needs before they had a HIP."
Te Tumu Waiora is a collaborative effort between Northland District Health Board, primary health entity Mahitahi Hauora and regional NGOs to support the HIPs.
Mangamuka Clinic in Okaihau is one of nine GP practices in the Mid North that have a HIP. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Mahitahi Hauora mental health and addictions team leader Maurein Betts said Te Tumu Waiora had benefited patients and staff alike.
"It works for patients because it's behaviour-based, non-judgemental and non-diagnostic, and because it's quick and easy to access the service.
"People can usually see the HIP the same day they visit their practice – often within 10-15 minutes.
"And it works for practices, because it gives them more options to provide quality care while making a positive impact on GP workloads," she said.
Between July 2020 and July 2021 HIPs saw 9916 patients across Northland providing a total of 19,810 wellbeing sessions.
List of GP clinics with HIP service Rata Family Health - Dr Scott Rata Family Health - Dr Mathieson Te Whareora o Tikipunga Kerimed Doctors Bream Bay Medical Centre Central Family Healthcare Hokianga Health - Rawene Clinic Mangamuka Clinic The Doctors Kerikeri Bush Road Medical Centre Te Hiku Hauora Te Whare Ora o Te Hiku o Te Ika Broadway Health Centre (Kaikohe) Broadway Health Centre (Waipapa) Te Aroh Noa Medical Centre Commercial Street Surgery Moerewa Medical Services Hauora Whanui Kawakawa Medical Centre Hokianga Health - Residential Care
More to be added in the future
Where to get help Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) Lifelink/Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (available 24/7) Youth services: (06) 3555 906 Youthline: 0800 376 633 Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm) Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7) Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
