5 minute read
Healthcare for All
The Salvation Army’s Hauora Service provides affordable healthcare for the South Auckland community—and everyone is welcome to sign up. Ben Mack reports.
Compassionate, affordable and inclusive healthcare is something many of us would like for ourselves and our whānau (family). The Salvation Army offers just that for people living in South Auckland. Even better, the Hauora Service is now accepting new patients.
‘Hauora’ refers to a specific approach to healthcare that incorporates individual wellbeing. It allows for patient-centred care that goes beyond just treating physical conditions, but looks at the entire person, explains Practice Manager Bhoomesh Shreedam.
Hauora Service is The Salvation Army’s first medical centre in Aotearoa and opened in the Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland suburb of Royal Oak in September 2023. Hauora Service is available to everyone in the local community—meaning everyone living in Tāmaki Makaurau is welcome to sign up.
Bhoomesh emphasises the inclusiveness of Hauora Service, and its traumainformed understanding that doesn’t discriminate.
‘There is a crisis in the GP world,’ he begins. ‘Many GPs who own their own clinic might not want to spend an hour with a patient for a consultation that should take 10 minutes. But we don’t discriminate.’
Bhoomesh, along with Emma Hunter— national consumer advisor and project lead for setting up Hauora Service—are also both quick to point out that the clinic is very clean and safe, particularly for whānau with tamariki (children), including pēpi (babies).
Emma points out the affordability, safety and inclusion that Hauora Service offers to people and their whānau. There’s another important aspect, too, she explains: the great deal of experience the practitioners have in treating people, demonstrated in both their medical expertise and the dignity and respect they show their patients.
It’s a service that’s already making a positive difference in people’s lives and the lives of their whānau.
‘As soon as I saw the Hauora Service opening, I was keen to transfer GPs,’ says Lois, among the many people now served.
‘I love their holistic approach and cultural appropriateness, and I feel the welcome and warmth from all the staff. The lovely receptionist, who remembered my name, reminded me that I needed to do my routine blood test, which gives me a sense of belonging to the practice.’
She adds: ‘I love what these guys are doing and what The Salvation Army as a whole stands for.’
The medical centre is located at 691A Mount Albert Road in Royal Oak. Services available include adult and child medical care, mental health management, general health and wellness, cervical screening, immunisation, lab results, Tamariki Ora health checks, chronic disease management, sexual health check-ups and more.
Bhoomesh says Hauora is a wraparound GP service, which supports the whole family. This can mean care that goes far beyond just the physical.
‘We look not only after medical needs, but work closely with Salvation Army Community Ministries to help with needs like WINZ (Work and Income), housing and more.’
He says more about this and the importance of wraparound support. ‘It’s about getting the right services and support.’
If whānau are struggling with finances, budgeting support is available, meaning that people can still receive Hauora services despite any money challenges they might have.
‘We’ve seen a really positive approach with this,’ says Bhoomesh.
‘Many clinics ask for payment on the day, which can push people further into debt. It’s an accessibility problem if you’re already struggling to buy food. With Hauora Service, we’re removing barriers.’
Another advantage of signing up to the service is being able to see a GP or nurse quickly.
‘Medical centres in the area currently usually have three to four week waiting lists for appointments,’ Bhoomesh says.
‘We have on-the-day appointments for enrolled patients.’
Government rules mean new sign-ups are limited to people and their whānau living in Tāmaki Makaurau. Both Bhoomesh and Emma say it’s a good option for people and their whānau who do live in the area, particularly if finances are a concern or if someone is distrustful of the health system because of bad experiences in the past.
Hauora Service’s patients have been spreading the word in the local community, too.
‘I have been telling all my friends at the gym to join the Hauora Service, as this is the only medical centre I know where the doctors are not rushing clients out and you really feel listened to,’ says Paul, a Hauora patient.
‘The receptionist is great, too; she knows most of the clients by name. And the doctors are very experienced and knowledgeable.’
Paul adds: ‘I wish we had more GP practices like this for the whānau out there.’
Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS) National Director Lt-Colonel Rod Carey said something similar when Hauora Service opened: ‘We recognise that many individuals face challenges in accessing professional healthcare. We provide a service that specifically meets the needs of tāngata whaiora (living people), ensuring that nobody is left behind.’
More information, including how to sign up, is available online at hauoraservice.salvationarmy.org.nz by calling (09) 220 8888 or emailing hauora.service@salvationarmy.org.nz
