Abstract
In 2022, the New Zealand Government began prototyping localities, a place-based approach to improving population health. The prototypes aimed to empower communities, involve local partnerships in health priorities, and create a more integrated approach to well-being. We share our journey of the Horowhenua Takiwā, led by iwi (Tangata Whenua, people of the land) from gathering whānau (family) and community voice to understand needs and aspirations and Hauora (wellbeing) priorities, through to the response: the design and delivery of the After-Hours, Acute Care and Specialist Services for Horowhenua.
Background: Recognising that communities we work with often express engagement fatigue (we keep telling you the same thing, but nothing happens), we wanted to share the journey from whānau and community engagement through to service design and delivery that specifically responds to community and whānau voice within a place-based care setting.
Approach: Our approach began with whānau and community engagement (Personal and Public Involvement. Our prototype is iwi-led and we embedded a Kaupapa Māori approach to gathering and elevating voices. This included working with whānau and communities to hear and gather voices in ways that are meaningful to them, and to share back what we heard. As we gathered voices, priorities began to emerge, one of which was access to services, especially after hours. Accessincludes availability of services, at times that work for whānau and in ways and spaces that make them feel comfortable and not judged. Working closely with iwi, Hauora providers, general practices, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand, Hospital and specialist services and THINK Hauora (Primary Health Organisation) and our communities, has led to the design and delivery of an integrated After-Hours, Acute and Specialist Service. The service is a direct response to the aspirations and needs of the community and data that evidences high Emergency Department presentations, decreased access to GPs and projected population growth.
Results: This paper discusses the specific outcome of a place-based, integrated After Hours Specialist Service.
Implications: Our presentation offers a real-life journey mapof place-based, community-led service design and delivery. It maps the pathways of gathering and elevating whānau and community voice, collaborative relationships and system engagement and support (across meso, macro and micro levels) to meet the needs and aspirations of the community. We are currently working on co-designing the space and designing evaluation of the service with whānau and community organisations. Biography/Speaker detailsDr Yumiko Olliver is a Connected Communities Manager at THINK Hauora where she draws on her experience as researcher, facilitator and Social Anthropologist to strengthen relationships with communities. Drawing on the tools of the tradeshe weaves these approaches into community voice and engagement. She has worked intensively with Tangata Whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand, young people, Pasifica, intellectually diverse and the rainbow community and facilitated in many sectors (including health, local councils, NGOs and business environments).Brianna Tekii is the Horowhenua Hauora System Lead at THINK Hauora and is seconded to Muaūpoko Tribal Authority. Brianna strengths lie in taking a strategic lens to work alongside health system leaders to design and test the change needed to respond to the voice. A spirited and driven strategic leader, Brianna is on a mission to champion equity. Brianna uses her experience working within the health system at a National level as a commissioner, policy and public health at a regional level and as a project manager delivering health contracts at a local level. Her heart beats for our communities, and she is committed to working to uplift them.