Health NZ Lakes District interim operations group director Kathy Rex in April said Lakes mental health had had full medical cover since late last year, supported by a mix of permanent, fixed-term and locum doctors.
A permanent, full-time overseas-trained doctor joined the service on April 7. The vacant specialist positions were filled by two doctors and four locum psychiatrists, Rex said.
They staff were supported by a recently employed primary liaison nurse specialist, she said.
The agency’s child and adolescent mental health team, paediatrics and child development team were now jointly triaging patients every two weeks to “reduce duplicate effort and fast-track acceptance by the right service”.
From Johannesburg to Rotorua
Dr Carmel Govender, a new adult psychiatrist in the Lakes district’s acute response team, began on April 7.
In a statement provided by Health NZ, Govender said she trained in Johannesburg and was a consultant psychiatrist for 10 years in the public and private sectors before taking up this role.
She had worked across the spectrum in the community, hospitals, medical and mental health wards, caring for children, older people and adults.
“I love helping people and seeing improvements when they get better, especially in mental health.
“You see the effects on the person, their whānau and community when they’re ill. When they’re better, you see what a great impact it has for the person and their whānau. It’s heart-warming.”
Govender had visited Rotorua before as a tourist and enjoyed the “small town, homely feel”.
Her husband, physician Deanish Govender, was also able to get a job at Rotorua Hospital.
“I had heard very positive things about New Zealand. I was keen to explore how mental health care works here, broaden my horizons and go on an adventure.
“I also really wanted to explore the opportunities for our children, like university and job opportunities, and for them to live a safe and carefree life. They can ride their bikes on the street here without fear for their lives.”
Dr Carmel Govender is a psychiatrist in the Lakes district’s acute response team.
Govender said she loved that there was no traffic in Rotorua compared with Johannesburg.
“Here, if I want to go anywhere, it’s a 10-minute drive. It’s very convenient.”
Govender’s interests were in acute mental health and pregnant women with mental distress.
“I enjoy working with pregnant women because women are very vulnerable at this time. You see a mother and a child as a unit and want to work in their best interests to protect them.”
Govender said South Africa’s system was different. In her view, New Zealand’s Mental Health Act was “less restrictive, with a human rights approach”.
She also appreciated doing home visits, which she could not do in South Africa.
“Everyone has welcomed me and been so gracious and heart-warming. They are willing to guide me on health care processes, which are very different here. I like Rotorua and I’m excited about our future.”
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.