Inclusive approach to whanau health and social services pays dividends

02/02/2012 | Inclusive approach to whanau health

A proactive approach to providing local Maori with interconnected health and social services is helping to engage whanau in the health system in the MidCentral District Health Board region.

A change in approach has had positive results in a remarkably short space of time. Vanessa Sidney-Richmond of Central PHO (Primary Health Organisation) says Te Ara Whanau Ora, an entrant in last year’s MidCentral DHB Health Awards, was originally developed as an assessment tool for the implementation of Whanau Ora.

Whānau Ora is an inclusive approach to providing coordinated and whanau-centred services to whānau across New Zealand. It empowers whānau members as a whole, rather than focusing separately on the problems of individual members.   It is about working alongside Whanau and working with potential and aspirations.

In the MDHB region, however, the primary health services weren’t connecting with one of its target groups – Maori under 30, the majority of whom were children and young people - who were not enrolled in any PHO service.

“Instead of this programme being just another assessment tool, the Whānau Ora Leadership Group set about developing an assessment and engagement process with whanau. Te Ara Whanau Ora is a process to assist whānau to identify what is occurring for them and to develop a plan to move toward achieving their goals.

“It is not about fixing problems, but about empowering whanau and giving them skills, opportunities and knowledge.
“This marks a shift in the approach to social and health services, and a different way of going about things,” Vanessa explains. “Whanau become participants in their own health management.”

The programme is facilitated by Whanau Ora Navigators. Employed by Iwi/Māori provider services, the Navigators are trained in advocacy, brokerage and coaching skills, and work alongside general practice teams and othr relevant settings and organisations.

Part of their role is to identify whānau members who experience difficulties accessing and engaging with health services. Each Navigator (three in Palmerston North, two in Horowhenua/Otaki, and one in Dannevirke) can be working with up to 30 people at any one time.

Adopting an integrated and holistic tack, the Whanau Ora Navigators take into account a whanau’s physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural health.

“The Navigators are not in a ‘fix it’ role. They gather information, listen and talk to whanau, and ask questions to help direct members toward their goals. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about being flexible and supporting whanau to realise their goals with confidence,” Vanessa says.

“Instead of asking ‘what’s wrong?’ Te Ara Whanau Ora is a strengths-based approach that asks ‘what’s right?’ ‘what’s working?’ and builds on those positives.”

Vanessa uses eczema as an example. Following treatment and advice from health professionals, Navigators make sure that everyone in the extended family circle is aware of, and involved in, the management of the condition from children and parents right through to aunties and grandparents.

“The information is given to the whanau so they can take care of the condition independently. It’s a proactive and pre-diagnostic approach rather than a reactive one. Let’s not wait until a 16-year-old gets full-blown diabetes, let’s empower whanau to do something about it now.”

Te Ara is based on six whānau outcomes identified by the Taskforce for Whānau-Centred Initiatives chaired by Sir Professor Mason Durie. Professor Durie also devised the Te Whare Tapa Whā concept at the heart of the process Te Ara Whanau Ora which is facilitated by the Te Ara Whanau Ora Navigators.

CONTACT:
Vanessa Sidney-Richmond, Whanau Ora project manager, Compass Health (06) 354-9107 vanessa.sidney-richmond@compasshealth.org.nz or Communications Unit (06) 350-8945