Published on 6th of November, 2023
Sometimes, going to the doctor can be challenging. There may be many reasons for this. Perhaps it’s too expensive, or transport options are limited, or the pressure of work and family responsibilities is too great. For some people, a bad experience at one GP can lead them to distrust all GPs. For some from our refugee and migrant communities, having to explain a health issue in a language that’s not their own is too daunting. And sometimes, fear of not being respected or accepted, as can be the case for those from LGBTQ+ communities, is a strong barrier to seeking healthcare.
Whatever the reason, it can help to have a knowledgeable support person walking alongside you to help navigate the system so that accessing medical help becomes less complex and more doable. This is the role of three new kaitautoko (support workers) who have joined the Mission staff.
These positions are funded by Pegasus Health in a new Tautoko Hauora (Supporting Health) service.
“Many of the people that our kaitautoko will be working with have lost trust in the health system,” says CMM Executive Director Jill Hawkey. “As a result, they are not getting the healthcare that they need and have a right to access. The kaitautoko will help them resolve some of the barriers that have made healthcare inaccessible.”
As well, because the kaitautoko are operating within the Mission, they will be able to draw on our different teams to help the people they are working with address the complex issues that have made their lives so difficult. Finding adequate housing, financial advice, addiction services, counselling and so forth can make all the difference.
“This support will mean that many people who have been shut out of the health system will be better able to look after themselves and their whānau,” says Jill.
