Private addiction help offered

Three of CareNZ's former addiction specialists have set up shop together, providing Wairarapa's first private addiction counselling service.

Nurse and addiction specialist Mary Freeman said they had not set up in opposition to CareNZ, which has been criticised for its corporate model since it won a Wairarapa District Health Board contract in November last year. They were keen to work with CareNZ and other service providers.

Ms Freeman said that after retiring in July she was approached by people asking if her expertise might still be available.

Not wanting to work fulltime, she asked former colleagues Gemma Askew and Naomi Wickens to join her in a private practice - Wairarapa Private Addiction Services.

Ms Wickens and Ms Freeman have worked together on and off for 20 years, and met Ms Askew while the three were working at the now-defunct Wairarapa Addiction Services. "Between us we have 40 years' experience," said Ms Freeman. The new service is approved for work with police and courts, and will work with families and clients who want more anonymity in addressing addiction issues.

"Addiction does not have a lot of respect for race, social standing and income," said Ms Freeman. "It's important for people to have choices of where they can go and in Wairarapa there hasn't been any choices before."

As the service is private, and will likely work on a more short-term basis with clients, the service would need to work closely with other service providers like CareNZ and Te Hauora to ensure people had ongoing support.

"Change is always difficult and CareNZ are offering group work and a very different type of service than we offer."

The three are able to visit clients in their homes or workplaces, and are using part of the third floor of the Departmental Building, in Chapel St.