Te Whatu Ora MidCentral is dedicated to the prevention of family violence. It was one of the first District Health Boards to appoint a dedicated family violence intervention project manager to assist staff working with patients living with violence.
MidCentral's health professionals are also trained to identify and help family violence victims.
In 2002 the Ministry of Health (MoH) wrote ‘Family Violence Intervention Guidelines’ (accessible through the
Ministry of Health website) detailing how health practitioners can proactively address family violence including child abuse.
In response to the MoH’s demand for action MidCentral (Palmerston North Hospital and Horowhenua Health Centre) have taken the following actions:
Placing MidCentral as a firm and committed member of the wider caring community by appointing a dedicated family violence intervention project manager who provides:
- Monthly training on the signs and symptoms of abuse and what actions should be taken once abuse has been diagnosed and/or disclosed
- Ensuring that organisational policies and departmental procedures are applied to practice by way of audit/evaluation and education
- Setting up and over viewing a robust I.T abuse alert flagging systems for some adults and all children who are referred to Child Youth and Family Services
- The family violence intervention project manager ensures that most areas of the hospital are adequately resourced with up to date information
- Promoting routine screening of patients for domestic abuse
MidCentral's Child Abuse and Neglect policy