Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
27 seconds ago
Access to primary healthcare has returned to EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale, with local provider Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri delivering nurse-led services to staff, students and children attending the Ōtatara Children’s Centre.
After initially operating from a mobile clinic outside J Block in July, the Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri team moved into the Health Centre in K Block in August.
The service now works in partnership with EIT’s student wellbeing and counselling services to provide integrated health and wellbeing support on campus.
Health Coach Katherine MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Registered Nurse Katrina Witton (Ngāti Porou) from Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri, who are delivering nurse-led health services on EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.
Executive Director, Student and Academic Services, Ondene van Dulm, says re-establishing on-campus health services is “a really exciting milestone in our post-cyclone recovery”.
“The vision is to provide comprehensive support for our students’ wellbeing, with accessible and affordable care that responds to diverse needs.
The whānau-led services provided by Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri will complement the support delivered by our Student Wellbeing Advisor and Counsellor. This is indeed a partnership to celebrate as we continue to rebuild our campus.”
Health Coach Katherine MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Registered Nurse Katrina Witton (Ngāti Porou) from Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri say the response to the service has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Within our first week, we had around 50 people come through just to get a health check or find out what’s available,” Katherine says.
Katherine says being on campus helps break down barriers to healthcare by providing a familiar, welcoming environment. She says awareness continues to grow as staff and students become more familiar with the service.
“It’s all about access,” she says. “Having somewhere close, affordable and easy to walk into makes a huge difference for people who might otherwise put off seeing someone.”
Both staff and students have already benefited from the service.
“We’ve had people come back and say, ‘I went to see my GP after you suggested it, and now I’m feeling great’. Even small checks like blood pressure can make a big difference,” Katrina says.
For Katrina, who completed her Bachelor of Nursing at EIT last year alongside her sister Jessica, returning to campus in a professional role has been especially meaningful.
A former forklift supervisor and dispatch coordinator, she was inspired to study nursing during the COVID-19 lockdown and has since become an advocate for accessible, community-based care.
“I studied here before the cyclone, so it’s quite special to come back and be part of bringing this service to life again,” she says.
Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri offers nurse-led care, health checks, vaccinations, referrals and health education to support students and staff in managing their wellbeing.
The service operates Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 3pm during teaching weeks, and is open to students and staff on a walk-in basis.
