Media Releases Rural Health Scholarships Available For Students Keen To Work In Waikato
 People considering applying for a Waikato Primary Health Rural Scholarship are being encouraged to send in applications by April 17 to avoid missing up to $10,000 toward study costs.
Waikato Primary Health operations manager Erica Amon says the scholarships are part of an ongoing programme to encourage health providers to practice primary health care in rural Waikato. “Any undergraduate or postgraduate student studying primary health care is eligible to apply. This year we’re especially keen to hear from people who are already qualified but seeking further qualifications,” says Ms Amon. She says students do not need to be already living in rural Waikato but must be willing to work in a rural Waikato community for 12 months upon completion of their studies. To view the full press release please Click Here
Waikato Kids Challenged To Do Five Things Before Turning Five
 Waikato children celebrating their fourth birthday can now look forward to five exciting and very important activities to complete before starting school as part of Waikato Primary Health’s free B4 School Health Check.
The checks were delivered in general practices around the Waikato starting on February 2. The B4 School Health Check replaces the Fit 4 School check that was developed in the Waikato.
Every child turning four will be sent a ‘Very Important Birthday Card’ as well as their ‘My Very Important Book’. In My Very Important Book they begin the challenge to complete five tasks before they turn five.
The five tasks are having their eyes and ears checked, getting their own library card, having their B4 School Health Check, enrolling with the School Dental Service and visiting their new school to meet their teacher. At each location visited, the child is given stickers to place in the book to show they’ve reached these milestones.
To view the press release please click here, for more information please contact Hilary Graham-Smith
Primary care graduate nursing internships proving successful
Earlier this year, in a national first, six Waikato nursing graduates entered paid primary health care internships. The nurses are now in their second placements within various urban and rural health care providers and are thriving.
To view the full press release pleaseClick Here Free Oral Health Programme Goes Deeper Than Root Canals
A pilot scheme ‘100 Healthy Smiles’ has enabled one hundred and seventy low income adults living in the Waikato to access free oral health care, resulting in significant personal benefits and financial returns of $130,000 to the Government.
New programme helps mental health sufferers in to employment
Over 100 people suffering from mild to moderate mental health illness are feeling more energetic, controlling panic attacks and overcoming depression, thanks to a pilot programme called Link2wrk. The ultimate aim is to help people be in a better position to get back in to work.
To view the full press release pleaseClick Here Learning to Cook Could Save Your Life
Two new healthy lifestyle programmes ‘Get Cooking’ and ‘Community Health Coaches (CHC)’ are being launched by Waikato Primary Health to help improve the nutritional and lifestyle behaviours of Waikato residents.
Get Cooking is delivered over six practical workshops with each session packed with healthy lifestyle information, fun activities and hands on cooking. To view the press release please click here, for more information please contact info@waikatopho.org.nz Life Transitions
Life Transitions is a successful aging health promotion workshop aimed at addressing the mental health and wellbeing of older people in the Waikato region who are suffering as a result of age-related life events or in the process of aging. It is recognised that many older people do not transition well in their retirement. To view the full press release please Click Here
Youth Self Harm
General Practitioners, school nurses and counsellors working in central North Island high schools concerned by escalating numbers of students presenting self harm behaviours have been seeking better ways to support young people deal with the complexities of self harm. To view the full media release please Click Here
Changes in Medical Care in Otorohanga
Local after hours care provided by the Otorohanga Medical Centre is being modified as a result of the recent loss of one of its permanent doctors.
Otorohanga Medical Centre GP Dr Ross Marshall says instead of a local doctor being on call all of the time, what will happen now is the medical centre is will close later at 8pm instead of 5pm but after that anyone calling in will be put through to a special triage service. To view the full media release please Click Here Primary Care Internships
In a national first, six nursing graduates in Waikato will enter straight into paid primary health care internships early next year. In the past, nurses had to start their careers in hospitals, as there was no systematic transition to primary health care.
To view the press release please Click Here Shortage in Health Care Providers
Waikato Primary Health and the Pinnacle General Practice Network are taking active steps to counter the expected future shortage of medical service providers in the Waikato region. This includes support for recruitment and retention of general practitioners and nurses, as well as creating pathways for other health providers to enhance services provided by general practice.
To view the media release please click here |