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The Government’s $6 million boost for mental health will help fund a health improvement practitioner (HIP) in Mid Canterbury. The role is based at Ashburton’s Three Rivers Health as part of a pilot programme and has been previously self-funded. Funding for the role will be given to Waitaha Primary Health (formerly Canterbury Rural PHO), which provides and supports Mid Canterbury’s GPs and health services. “Although we don’t yet know how much funding we will receive, it will be used to help offset the establishment
costs of the HIP role and provide secure funding for its future,” said Paul Wynands, manager of Waitaha Primary Health’s mental health services. Patients are referred directly to the HIP from their doctor if they are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues. Following an assessment, behavioural goals are developed with the patient, to be worked on outside the clinic. Generally, a patient will only require one or two 30-minute appointments and those deemed to be at risk are referred to secondary care. Appointments can also be done over the phone and
the service is free-of-charge to patients. “The benefit of having a HIP based at a practice means the patient can receive a much faster mental health response, particularly if they need to be referred to other services,” said Bill Eschenbach, Waitaha Primary Health’s Chief Executive. “The role also helps to build capacity in the General Practice through education and identifying and responding to the health needs of the practice’s population.”
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