Bay Of Islands Integrated Family Health Centre Devleopment

7 August, 2013

Bay Of Islands Integrated Family Health Centre Devleopment

Positive progress has been made on the development of a concept plan for an Integrated Family Health Care centre co-located with the Bay of Islands Hospital.

A planning group consisting of General Practitioners from Moerewa and Kawakawa, and senior staff from the Bay of Islands Hospital and Ngati Hine Health Trust have been working together since last year to progress the development.

Mr Rob Cooper Chief Executive from Ngati Hine Health Trust presented a concept plan for the Integrated Family Health Care Centre six weeks ago. Following this, Hospital staff have spent time reviewing how acute inpatient services and the new Accident and Medical Centre could best be aligned with the Health Centre. “A priority for the hospital is to improve and streamline the entrance way and access, particularly after-hours.” said Dr Graeme Fenton.

This development will include a purpose build area for the provision of after-hours services to the mid-north community. Access to the facility will be from the main entrance, eliminating the confusion for patients and their families.

The local General Practitioners are also considering basing themselves in the Integrated Health Care Centre, along with some community services provided by both Ngati Hine Health Trust and Northland District Health Board. The common vision is to improve access, provide a more integrated, efficient, high quality service working in close partnership to deliver the best possible care for everyone.

Ngati Hine Health Trust is currently amending the concept plan to accommodate the needs of patients and staff who require access to acute medical care. The next concept draft will be reviewed by the working group, and can then be made available for wider comment.

Health Partners, a consulting group with extensive expertise in the planning and development of Integrated Family Health Centres, will then work with the group to refine the model of care for the Centre and to develop a business case for consideration by the respective Ngati Hine Health Trust Board and Northland District Health Board.

ENDS

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