Wellsford health care initiative leads NZ

Many sectors of the health care community came together to celebrate the blessing and opening of Coast to Coast PHO’s newest facility in Wellsford on March 31.

AUT Health and Environmental Science faculty associate dean Miriam Jones, who attended the opening, says she can see the facility becoming a model for health centres throughout NZ.

“What’s being developed in Wellsford is outstanding,” she said. “Students who train here, in disciplines such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, medicine and psychology, will be given a unique opportunity to work inter-professionally. It’s an holistic approach to meeting community health care needs, which is not readily available elsewhere.”

The new facility is located in the former Rodney District Council depot, in School Road. It will be known as Te Whariki Teitei, meaning the interwoven strands of excellence.
Dr Tim Molloy said the facility, which was a “derelict dump just a few weeks ago”, would become a centre for health care excellence.
“Health care is about team work, cooperation and inter-action among providers,” he said. “Our vision for this facility is immense.”
Kamatua, kuia and other dignitaries spoke warmly about the development of the centre and their support for it.

PHO chief executive Nancy Malloy said the co-location of different health agencies under one roof would mean that issues affecting a person’s health could be identified and addressed more readily.
Services which might eventually operate from the centre include Homebuilders, counselling services, ACC, budget advisors, and the Heartlands Programme (WINZ and IRD).

“It is envisaged that the two-hectare site may accommodate a community garden, bike track and student lodge,” she said.

The PHO will be progressively re-locating from its former site in Matheson Road this month.

Top: Associate dean Miriam Jones, and PHO chief executive Nancy Molloy at the opening.

Middle: The new health care facility was officially opened by Coast to Coast Health Trust representative Liz Mitchelson, Rodney Mayor Penny Webster and Dr Tim Molloy.

Bottom: Dignitaries from many walks of life participated in the PHO Centre opening.