Services:

• Older People
• Youth, Children & Families
• Mental Health
• Elder Care Canterbury

AGREEMENT WILL IMPROVE HEALTH ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS

People living in rural Canterbury can expect improved access to health services as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Rural Canterbury Primary Health Organisation and Presbyterian Support Upper South Island.

The agreement allows General Practice teams contracted to the Rural Canterbury PHO to refer patients directly to services provided by Presbyterian Support in Waimakariri, Mid Canterbury and Banks Peninsula. It also allows for the development of joint initiatives, service planning and the sharing of appropriate information.

“The agreement will help link the primary health services provided by the two organisations in a more co-ordinated way, to the benefit of all residents in the areas covered by the Rural Canterbury PHO,” says RCPHO Chairman Winston McKean.

“I am delighted at this opportunity to work together with support people in our rural areas in a very appropriate partnership,” says Presbyterian Support Executive Director John Elvidge.

Presbyterian Support is a Christian social service working in two areas: to support the family and alleviate the situation of at-risk children, and with frail older people to enable them to remain living in their own homes. Services in Mid Canterbury include counselling, community social work, youth mentoring, falls prevention and a family worker in schools. North Canterbury services include falls prevention, social work, a meal service, volunteer support, home maintenance and a day programme for older people; mental health support; and youth and family counselling and social work.

New initiatives the organisations hope to develop as a result of the agreement include falls prevention in Akaroa, satellite counselling services attached to medical practices in Mid Canterbury, and mental health workers in North Canterbury. 

The Rural Canterbury PHO has reached a similar agreement with Plunket and is planning to work in partnership with other community organisations.

For further information, contact:

Winston McKean, Chairman, Rural Canterbury Primary Health Organisation, phone (03) 304 8428

John Elvidge, Executive Director, Presbyterian Support Upper South Island, phone (03) 363 8217