Health clinic seeks to heal holistically

KEEPING WELL: Janine Vollebregt (left) and Trish Wilkinson are opening a new "wellness" health care clinic. PHOTO/LYNDAFERINGA

A new health clinic in central Masterton is set to open by Christmas and will fill "pockets of need that aren't met by mainstream services", say the nurses behind it.

Trish Wilkinson and Janine Vollebregt said the centre would offer "a more casual service" - accepting drop-ins and casual clients.

It would offer a variety of "wellbeing" services for an affordable cost and have flexible hours to suit busy people.

"We're not replacing any existing services, we're complementing what's already out there," Ms Wilkinson said.

The not-for-profit community health centre will be mainly run by nurses and intends to have a somewhat holistic approach - not purely a medical approach.

Mrs Vollebregt said it was not always the doctor that people needed to see.

"We want to link with and provide support to all wellbeing aspects and not just medical needs."

In the future, the centre hopes to offer naturopathy, counselling and acupuncture by visiting specialists, and natural as well as traditional medicines.

But from the outset it would provide general nursing, including maternal and child support.

Some services would work in collaboration with each other.

"We want to be a place where people can find a service that suits them - all under one roof.

"What we want now is for people to say what it is they would like to see."

Once the building which has been "earmarked" as the site had been confirmed, a nurse practitioner, general practitioner, practice nurses and administration staff would be hired. There would also be potential placements at the centre for undergraduate nursing students.

Ms Wilkinson and Mrs Vollebregt have a combined 88 years of nursing experience and have both developed health care systems before.

"We know how to profile our community, identify gaps in services and then work with the wider health care team to deliver services to meet needs of all people in the community, affordably and accessibly," said Mrs Vollebregt.

"Traditionally a doctor works under a medical model, but short appointments are not always enough to unpick the bigger picture and surrounding issues concerning those people."

The pair are still coming up with an appropriate name that "reflected the service".

Ms Wilkinson said the working group, which included seven members willing to be trustees, was on the way to establishing a community trust.

"It's a mix of a wellness, medical and holistic model," Mrs Vollebregt said.

There were other innovative models around the country that provided services based on a wellness model that they were gleaning ideas from.

A wellness model "empowers the consumer", encouraging them to take responsibility for their own health, and focuses on prevention and intervention before serious illness sets in.