Improving healthcare for Bay of Plenty children with neurodevelopmental, behavioural, and mental health concerns is the impetus of a new wellness centre, which was opened at Tauranga Hospital this month.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey opened Te Waka Aorangi – the Child Wellness Centre on November 8, to enhance the health of children and whānau in BOP.
“Te Waka Aorangi is leading the way by providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for children with neurodevelopmental, behavioural, and mental health concerns — [it is] the only child wellness centre in New Zealand using a specific innovative integrated model of care,” said Doocey.
The centre uses the Child Health Integrated Response Pathways – known as Chirp – model of care, which involves specialists working together in the same space to ensure children are at the centre of all assessment and treatment.
Te Whatu Ora’s BOP group director of operations Pauline McGrath, Wayne Wright, patient Piper Harvey and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey officially opening the centre. Photo: supplied.
In one place
The Minister said health professionals will work alongside education, iwi and community partners to achieve better outcomes for BOP children at the centre.
“This model makes it easier for children and whānau to access the support they need in a timely way. “We know that early intervention gives children the best chance to thrive. With support from a range of services and clinicians in one place, we can better help children and their whānau.”
The centre had been expertly designed to cater to children who may behave, think or move differently from their peers. A design mantra “Through the Eyes of a Child” was adopted when designing the centre, to create a space that enables child specialists to undertake their mahi yet is engaging and comfortable for tamariki and whānau.
The centre had been designed and furnished with adult and child-friendly furniture, and child-enjoyment amenities such as toys and materials for drawing and colouring at child-height tables and chairs.
Fit-for-purpose infrastructure
Active assessment through play is a critical part of understanding children’s developmental hurdles. An inside active playroom has specialised rubber flooring, hard-surfaced ceilings, protected light fittings, both hard and soft finished walls, a climbing frame and swing, along with balls and other spatial awareness, balance and co-ordination equipment.
The Minister said his Government is unwavering in its commitment to improving access, timeliness, and quality of mental health care “which is why I’ve established five mental health targets to drive improvements across the continuum of care”.
“Achieving these goals requires fit-for-purpose infrastructure and a workforce that is well supported and equipped to deliver high-quality care in their communities,” said Doocey.
“This centre will play an important role in ensuring that children and their family receive responsive and integrated care.”
Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell, who attended the official opening, said: “This innovative facility will provide much-needed support to our children, ensuring they receive the best possible care right here in our community.”