Hauora Maori

Tairawhiti District Health is committed to the needs of Maori who make up 65 percent of admissions to Gisborne Hospital.

The application of a cultural audit tool across the hospital enables staff to develop a Maori health focus and respect the tikanga of Maori patients. This is supported by the organisational Bi cultural and Treaty of Waitangi policies endorsed by the Board.

TDH’s Hauora Maori Department consists of a Pouwhakahaere, Kaiatawhai and administrative support and is based in the Corporate Services division of Gisborne Hospital.

 

Role of the Pouwhakahaere Hauora Maori

The role of Pouwhakahaere Hauora Maori /Maori Health Manager Peter Brown Brown is to provide cultural leadership, advice and support to staff, management and clients. Tairawhiti District Health will ensure that the spirit of the Treaty of Waitangi is integral to all areas of activity, operations and future planning.

 

Role of the Kaiatawhai

The Kaiatawhai, Josephine McLean, is part of the Hauora Maori team and works under the Management of the Pouwhakahaere Hauora Maori. The role of the Kaiatawhai is somewhat similar to that of the Social Work Team, however, working from a Maori perspective.

The Kaiatawhai role is to assist Turoro Maori (Maori patients) and their whanau (family) during the time of hospitalisation. The Kaiatawhai, like the social work team, will assist with Turoro inpatient management, information dissemination both clinical and social to Turoro and whanau, instigate, assist and facilitate whanau hui and or complaints and work closely with both Turoro, whanau and hospital staff/clinicians. The Kaiatawhai will also be involved in the discharge planning and referral to the appropriate community agencies for continuity of care for those Turoro and whanau that will need further assistance on discharge from hospital. The Kaiatawhai works with a view to assist in lessening the high rate of re-admission amongst Maori patients.

The Kaiatawhai works as part of a Multi Disciplinary Team within the hospital and primarily focuses on inpatients. The multi-disciplinary team is made up from the various adult services such as, Nurse Unit Manager, Social Workers, NASC, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Dieticians. The Kaiatawhai currently covers the following wards; Ward 5, Ward 8, Rehabilitation, Ward 9, Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit and Palliative Care.

Hauora Maori Documents

Te Ara Ora - TDH Maori Health Plan 2009-2012

Regional Maori Health Plan 2009