Drop-in clinic opens its doors

Rotorua people wanting to access drop-in health care will be able to visit a new nurse-led clinic in Rotorua.
The new clinic, Rotorua Community Link, is a service of Korowai Aroha Health Centre. It will open its doors on Pukuatua St, next to the Work and Income office, on Tuesday.
The Maori health provider has been contracted by Lakes DHB to run the clinic as a one-year pilot programme.
Korowai Aroha chief executive Ngaroma Grant said the location of the clinic meant a lot of people would pass it on their way to accessing services at Work and Income and Child, Youth and Family.
Ms Grant said the new clinic was funded by the Ministry of Health to reduce inequalities and was monitored and supported by the Lakes District Health Board.
Rotorua Community Link would be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
The service is free and no appointment is required.
Ms Grant said Rotorua Community Link staff wanted to provide a helpful and user-friendly service, for health matters for all members of the family.
She said Korowai Aroha Health Centre was committed to working with community organisations, GPs and Well Child services to provide the vital service for users.
Rotorua Community Link team leader Deena Mear and her team of nurses and community health workers would be offering the following services:
* Free health checks
* Blood pressure, weight and blood sugar checks
* Assessment of minor wounds and injuries
* Contraception advice
* Healthy living advice and support
* Health education and promotion
* Immunisations for children
* Smoking cessation advice
Staff at the new clinic will not be able to sign sickness benefit forms or write prescriptions.
Ms Grant said the new clinic's intention was to provide complimentary services, with the focus on patients seeing their usual GP, or if they don't have a regular GP, receiving information to enrol with a GP.
 "Our aim is to link patients to regular contact with an appropriate healthcare provider and the continuity of care provided by their GP is critical."
* For more information contact Ngaroma Grant at Korowai Aroha Health Centre, phone (07) 348 8454 or email mala@korowai.org.nz