Waitakere Health Link

Many people were concerned that the Waitakere Health Plan would end up simply gathering dust. From this concern came the concept of a community monitoring organisation, which would ensure that the projects outlined in the Plan were implemented. Waitakere Health Link tell what they have learnt.

Waitakere Health Link (WHL) was established following the launch of the Waitakere Health Plan by Annette King, the Minister of Health, in November 2000. During the community consultation process for the Waitakere Health Plan many people had expressed their concern that the Plan would end up, as many plans do, simply gathering dust on a shelf somewhere. From the discussions around this concern came the concept of a community monitoring organisation, which would ensure that the projects outlined in the Plan were implemented.

WHL became an incorporated society in January 2001, and appointed a part-time co-ordinator in February 2001.

Who's involved

WHL is a partnership between the Waitakere Community and the following organisations:

• Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB)
• Pasifika Healthcare
• Wai-Health
• Integrated Primary Care Services (IPCS).
• Waitakere City Council

The WHL executive has eight elected community represented and representatives from each of the above organisations.

How are we funded?

WHL received set-up funding from the Health care providers involved in the Waitakere Health Plan. This funding covered our operational costs for approximately two years. The Finance and Resource subcommittee is currently working on finding future resources for operational costs as well as for specific projects.

What do we do?

• Monitor the projects in the Waitakere Health Plan and reporting back to the community on their progress.
• Identify other health issues in the Waitakere community and working with local healthcare providers to find ways of addressing them.
• Foster better communication and understanding between the healthcare providers and the community ?" a two way process.
• Act as a vehicle for the community voice, in order to get more community involvement in healthcare service delivery and decision making.
• Act as an advisor for health and disability issues in Waitakere City.
• WHL is or has been actively involved in projects such as the Child and Youth Health and Disability Strategy led by Westkids and Waitemata DHB, the Painted Apple Moth Community Advisory Group, Primary Health Organisation (PHO) establishment and the Waitemata DHB Fundamental Change Strategy. Our main role in projects such as these is to ensure that the community has opportunities to participate at all stages.

Evaluation and Feedback

WHL has undertaken to carry out an ongoing Social Audit process in order to measure our impact on the Waitakere community through the eyes of our stakeholders.

Achievements to date

• Waitakere City's new hospital is being built and is expected to open in 2004
• The Emergency Service Equity initiative has been achieved ?" this means that people in Waitakere City no longer have to pay for an ambulance to take them to North Shore or Auckland Hospital in a medical emergency.
• Reorganisation of the Waitemata DHB Mental Health Service has begun which will make entry into the system much simpler.
• The Available Services Community Information project has been completed and a credit card sized card containing key health information phone numbers has been distributed throughout the city.
• The Child Health Information project ?" now known as Kidslink ?" is up and running in Waitakere City. This enables healthcare providers and caregivers to keep track of a child’s immunisation and Well Child check records. Eventually this will be a nationwide initiative.
• Pacific Island Gardening project was a huge success last year and looks like it is going to be even bigger this year. It focuses on good nutrition, exercise and family time.
• Ranui Action Project is one of the Waitakere Health Plan initiatives. The Ranui community has undergone a comprehensive visioning process that has led to the formulation of an Action Plan for the community. Implementation of the plan is now underway.
• In 18 months WHL has gained much credibility in Waitakere City, both with the community and with the healthcare providers. Our membership is now over 50 with a mailing list of interested organisations and individuals of around 350.

Success factors

Willingness of the healthcare providers to be accountable to the community

Being proactive in problem solving

Acting in the interest of the community ?" this builds trust and respect on both sides.

Collaboration rather than competition means better use of resources

Getting out there in the community to find out what's going on

Getting involved with other community groups and organisations.

What have we learnt?

That nothing worthwhile happens overnight, but if you stick with it you'll get there in the end.

That although we can do great things on our own, together we can do amazing things.

That things are not only easier and with better outcomes when you work together, they are also more fun.

Most useful resources

Other people and organisations working at community level ?" not necessarily in the same field. As well as mutual support, we can learn a lot through sharing our experiences.

Contact

Waitakere Health Link Coordinator Tracy McIntyre
Phone 09 8390512
Box 21952, Henderson
Email Tracy.mcintyre@waitematadhb.govt.nz

© 2002 Waitakere Health Link.

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