Collaborating for our Tamariki 

Collaborating for our Tamariki 

In addition to operating Ostend Medical Centre, Waiheke Health Trust is contracted by Te Whatu Ora to provide community services such as District Nursing, Allied Health Services and Social Work.  It also has a Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) Team, made up of nurses Elaine and Kirsten, who provide care and support to families of tamariki under the age of 5.  With the Health Trust and Medical Centre operating out of different buildings, it can be difficult to collaborate with each other, but we’re proud to have recently worked together to improve health outcomes and immunisation rates for island tamariki. 

Elaine and Kirsten have run two childhood immunisation clinics at the Medical Centre so far this year.  They have used their existing therapeutic relationships with whānau to encourage attendance at the clinics and have made the medical centre a more child-friendly space on these days using picture books, toys and posters and basing themselves in a small, comfortable treatment room free from medical equipment.  We spoke with the parent of a child who came in for the February clinic and she said, ‘It was especially nice for the Well Child nurses to vaccinate.  We had just seen them the day before so have a good relationship with them. This made the experience more relaxing and less frightening.’ 

Perhaps most reassuring for families was coming for immunisations at the same time as others.  In walking past the waiting room when the clinics have been on, we’ve seen the waiting room full of parents and children waiting for their turn or completing the post vaccine monitoring period and have noticed a sense of camaraderie – a sense that they feel not on their own with their anxieties and fears, and a feeling of being part of a larger community that supports vaccinations for our tamariki’s health. 

Health Tip

Did you know that Ostend Medical Centre provides a FREE wellbeing service through our Health Coach and our Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)?  Rozanne Gold is OMC’s HIP, and she can help when things are getting in the way of your health and wellbeing.  Rozanne can provide support if you are experiencing challenges with stress, sleep, or mental health. She can also help you manage physical health conditions, relationship issues, and drug and alcohol concerns.  You can ask one of our clinicians about accessing Rozanne’s services for free or call us on 372 5005 to request an appointment. 

This month, Rozanne offers some tips for when you might be experiencing anxious thoughts or feelings.  She suggests using grounding techniques to create space from distressing feelings and her ‘HIP Tip’ can be seen below.  Our favourite guidance is, ‘Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend.’   

From next month, Rozanne and our Health Coach Stephanie will have a cosy health improvement room to work out of at the Medical Centre, thanks to fit-out funding from the Waiheke Local Board.  We can’t wait to share photos of this relaxing, dedicated space with our patients but, better yet, book an appointment with Rozanne or Steph and come and see it yourself.  Thank you, Waiheke Local Board! 

Ostend Medical is Accepting New Patients 

Having successfully recruited additional nursing staff in recent months, including our new Nurse Team Leader Barbara Sangster, Ostend Medical Centre is now able to accept new patients.  If you have friends or family members who have been waiting to join our friendly clinic, please share this news with them.   

When new patients join us, they will be booked for a full clinical review with one of our nurses.  This will involve a comprehensive review of medical history and regular prescriptions, set up of all recommended recalls, and a physical examination to get up-to-date health information.  This means that when a GP appointment is needed by the patient, we will have all the necessary information to see the patient efficiently and effectively.   

Feedback from new patients who have joined us this month has emphasised how happy they have been to have the full attention of the nurse in capturing their medical history and health status.  They have also praised our friendly reception team, understanding nurses and ease of access and parking, so you can feel confident recommending the clinic to your friends and family members. 

New patients interested in joining the practice can call reception on 09 372 5005.   

More Ear Suction Appointments Now Available 

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Waiheke Island, Ostend Medical Centre was able to purchase ear suction equipment last year.  This has proven to be such a popular service that we have recently trained three more of our nurses in the procedure – meaning more availability for our patients!  If you think that your hearing is being impacted by ear wax, give our reception team a call on 372 5005 to book an initial ear check.  Here’s how it works: 

• The reception team will book you in for a short ear check with one of our nurses at a cost of $10. During this consult, our nurses will check to see whether or not ear wax is the issue.   
• If you have a build up of ear wax, you will be booked in for an ear suction appointment and given instructions on what you need to do to prepare.  
• Your ear suction appointment will be booked with one of our friendly nurses at a cost of just $55 for enrolled patients. 

We wouldn’t be able to offer this expanded service without the support of the Rotary Club of Waiheke Island.  Thank you, Rotary!  

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Our tikanga – core principles
kaitiakitanga | whanaungatanga | manaakitanga | pukengatanga | kotahitanga

Photo credit: Sol Harris of Purple Dog Design