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Rural and Community Health Services Get Big Tick

Media information
For immediate release

Date: 2 November 2009

Rural And Community Health Services Get The Big Tick

Caring for the health of one of New Zealand's most rural regions is a big job, and somebody must do it * but do Waikato Rural and Community Services do it well?

Yes they do, according to those who need them.

Rural and Community Services is an important function of Waikato District Health Board's provider arm, Health Waikato.

This group of services is responsible for a lot of the healthcare provided in local community settings as opposed to the hospital setting; including the work of dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and district nurses * just to name a few.

Given the magnitude of its functions and large population base, Rural and Community Services' management makes a point of asking their users how they measure up via a survey every year.

The survey asked users: "Overall, were you satisfied with the treatment/care received from the service?"

To which, 91.51% answered yes, 6.6% did not reply, 0.47% were not sure and just 1.42% of respondents indicated they were unsatisfied.

"Furthermore, 88.68% of respondents felt comfortable having our staff in their homes and more than 90% said they were treated with respect by these staff," said Rural and Community Services' group manager Jill Dibble.

Mrs Dibble said she was very pleased with the results of the recent survey and said it was a huge credit to her staff working out in Waikato communities.

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"We have a culture of continuous improvement within Rural and Community Services, so these surveys are an important way of gauging how we're doing and what we need to improve on."

However, there were three aspects of the survey, which Mrs Dibble said she and her staff would continue to work on:

* seven per cent of respondents said they did not receive explanations on how to use equipment provided to them to assist in their care
* four per cent said they couldn't access services outside normal hours when they needed it; and
* 14 per cent said they had not received the service's client information pamphlet.

"Although those figures are not alarmingly large, it is important to us that we strive to provide top rate service as close to 100 per cent of the time as possible," said Mrs Dibble.

"And despite these areas to work on, the survey has overwhelmingly confirmed these staff are doing a wonderful job for our clients and of that, I am proud."

She said feedback such as, "wonderful service from all concerned", "excellent and caring * helpful and cheerful" and, "on all occasions I was treated with care and dignity. No complaints", was a credit to the continuous improvement culture and important for staff morale.

ENDS

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