\u201cOur focus has always been clear; that our people are best served by solutions designed by and for our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faneva said this next step allowed it to deepen that commitment by growing an accessible, culturally grounded and future-focused service.<\/p>\n
The development has been supported by co-ordinated work across clinical leadership, governance, and operational systems, including enrolment design and readiness activities to support wh\u0101nau-centred service delivery. <\/p>\n
Tumuaki CEO Bree Davis said the kaupapa had been driven by long-term vision rather than short-term change.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom application through to readiness, every step has centred on strengthening how we serve our wh\u0101nau and ensuring we are set up for sustainable growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Te R\u016bnanga o Whaingaroa Board members Miriama Nelson and Raiha Fredricsen with Te R\u016bnanga o Whaingaroa Tumuaki CEO Bree Davis.<\/p>\n
The new practice strengthened services available to wh\u0101nau, said Mahitahi Hauora Partnership Services Manager Sandra Wilkinson. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited to welcome Te Pokap\u016b Community Clinic in K\u0101eo to our network. This new nurse-led general practice strengthens the range of services available where it is greatly needed, improving access to health care in a high-needs rural community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recent launch was welcomed by residents who said healthcare access was difficult for those living in the small town.<\/p>\n
K\u0101eo pharmacy dispensary manager Viv Bath said it was pleased with the new nurse-led practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will help Wh\u0101nau Ora [which] are also doing the best they can. We\u2019re sitting in a situation here where the doctors are mostly online and we are over an hour to each of our nearest hospitals and our ambulance service has gone too.\u201d <\/p>\n
She said K\u0101eo was a high-needs area and the small pharmacy team often acted as triage when residents required care. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not uncommon for us to phone the hospital, to phone or email the practices to let them know when things aren\u2019t going well. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s kind of something we have taken upon ourselves to make sure people are getting seen and treated correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n
K\u0101eo resident Janice Ryan said the new practice would be \u201cwonderful\u201d as seeing a GP was difficult. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very hard to get in and see the doctor. And I mean that\u2019s really sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan said things had changed since she moved to the town 12 years ago but not for the better. She hoped the nurse-led practice was the start of more services in K\u0101eo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s very important for people to have easy access to healthcare, especially in small rural communities, given that many have to travel out of town, especially nowadays with the price of gas. Some of the elderly just can\u2019t afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n