Specialised support for passports opens

DREAM TEAM: Ann Carthew (left), Compass Health disability initiatives co-ordinator, Erikka Helliwell, youth facilitator for SIDU, Justine Thorpe, Compass Health Wairarapa general manager, volunteer Pat Everitt, Prue Poata, SIDU programme co-ordinator, Pauline Boyles, disability responsiveness adviser for SIDU, volunteers Bridget McLaren (front left, with disability assist dog Goldie) and Ruth Carter.

Compass Health Wairarapa has launched its specialised disability support desk at Masterton Medical - with a four-legged friend on hand to help out.

The health provider, in tandem with the 3DHB Service Integration and Development Unit (SIDU), devised the helpdesk to promote the centre's Health Passport initiative for disabled patients.

The desk was officially opened on Monday, with staff members from Compass Health and SIDU present, as well as a team of volunteers who will be manning the helpdesk.

Disability assist dog Goldie, belonging to volunteer Bridget McLaren, handed out a few passports of his own, charming the patients.

Volunteers will help patients with filling out the passports - a record of a patient's health history to present at any medical centre they attend.

SIDU senior disability responsiveness adviser Pauline Boyles said she hoped the community would "get out there and use the health passports, and doctors would read them".