Maori to benefit from new nursing service

Media release - Embargoed Until Delivery Of Speech
By Minister Of Heatlh, Hon Annette King, 9.30AM , 30 June 2000

Maori to benefit from new nursing service

Maori people with diabetes, lung disease and heart disease will benefit from a new mobile Maori community nursing service, Health Minister, Annette King, said today.

The Health Funding Authority has contracted 31 Maori health services throughout the country to provide an innovative new nursing service worth $3.3 million, for Maori people with chronic cardiovascular conditions.

“The aim of the service is to support Maori people and their whanau to manage their diabetes effectively, as well as their heart or lung disease,” Mrs King said. “The Government and the HFA wants Maori to be well informed about their illness. We want them supported to take up health promoting behaviours such as stopping smoking, eating healthy food and keeping fit.

“Registered Nurses providing the service will work closely with GPs and hospitals to ensure Maori are supported to manage their illness, and that they receive timely GP or specialist care.

“Maori health providers offer a range of primary care services in the community such as GP services, health promotion, health education, well child, mental health and disability support services. The new Maori mobile nurses will be part of multi-disciplinary teams within a comprehensive primary care service. Under the programme Maori nursing services will be taken to clients in their own homes, places of work or wherever is most convenient for them.”

General manager of the HFA’s Maori Health group, Rob Cooper, says: “The 45 Registered Nurses employed to provide the mobile services within 31 Maori primary care organisations will be trained to Advanced Practitioner level through a course provided by the Department of Maori and Pacific Health and Division of Nursing - Auckland University.

The mobile Maori nursing service will complement the HFA’s new “Get Checked” diabetes programme launched by Health Minister, Hon Annette King today at Te Marae o te Papa Tongarewa.

The “Get Checked” programme aims to help Maori, Pacific Island people and others with diabetes better manage their condition. Under the campaign doctors can offer diabetes patients a free health check every year, paid for by the Government via the HFA.
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For more information please contact:
John Harvey, Press Secretary, Minister of Health ph (04) 471 9305
Christine Field, Health Funding Authority ph (04) 495 4335 or

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