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Regional | Health

Northland DHB and Ngāti Hine Health Trust to develop Whānau Ora Centre

Northland DHB will work in partnership with the Ngāti Hine Health Trust in the development of a new Whānau Ora Centre.

The centre will be part of an upgrade to the Bay of Islands Hospital.

Northland DHB chief executive Dr Nick Chamberlain says, “The plans for the hospital refurbishment are well underway and will see a new accident & medical department, which will also provide facilities for GPs to provide after-hours services. The accident & medical department will provide the interface to the Whānau Ora Centre with a single triage point to serve both the centre and hospital.”

The Ngāti Hine Health Trust’s early childhood centre Te Mirumiru, is guiding the design and build of the Whānau Ora Centre.

Ngāti Hine Health Trust’s chief operating officer, Maxine Shortland says, “Our vision is that healing starts when you walk into the Whānau Ora Centre by promoting and demonstrating the holistic philosophy of health and wellbeing.”

Eco environment efficiencies will guide the design features of the Whanau Ora Centre, which include low maintenance of natural materials and vegetation, wastewater, passive heating and cooling systems.

According to a statement released by the Northland DHB, two GP practices from Kawakawa and one from Moerewa will work together in the Whānau Ora Centre.

Other services will include community and specialist nurses, health promotion kaimahi, telemedicine and laboratory services, a dispensary, podiatrist, physiotherapists, a radiography suite, dental surgeries, gymnasium and an after-hours GP sleep-over suite. The existing hospital kitchen facilities are also moving into the Whānau Ora Centre and will provide the meals for the hospital and staff cafeteria.

Ngāti Hine Health Trust is funding the Whānau Ora Centre working with local GPs, iwi and the community in the design and model of care.

Construction is expected to begin in October this year.