Fresh health approach earns national notice

Thanks to supporting letters from patients and peers, two Blenheim doctors with an ethos of patient-focused care are gaining national acknowledgement.

Dr Sara Simmons and Dr Rachel Inder of Manu Ora were recognised with Community Service Medals at the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners’ Conference in Christchurch for exceptional work improving health outcomes in their local communities.

Manu Ora has also been announced as one of two finalists for the New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards’s General Practice of the Year awards on Monday, against Tauranga’s Fifth Avenue Family Practice where College president Dr Luke Bradford runs.

Sara and Rachel received the award in recognition of their leadership and dedication to health equity in Marlborough, through the charitable general practice which opened four years ago.

“It’s super special, particularly as must be nominated by a combination of peers, the community, and the College faculty so from that point of view, it’s quite humbling to know that our colleagues see us worthy of even being nominated,” says Sara.

“After we found out about the award, that the letters of nomination were forwarded to us, and reading them was cool - it’s an awesome acknowledgement of the model of care we run compared to traditional general practices.

“Honestly we feel a bit funny about the award, because we do love doing what we do, and the joy comes from every single day,” says Rachel.

Manu Ora’s focus on low-cost services, extended consultations, wraparound support and outreach is one that formed out of concern for 15-minute not being long enough for those in most need.

“This came out of disillusionment - it’s distressing as a GP sitting there knowing that you’ve got 15 minutes or you’re keeping someone else waiting, and it certainly doesn’t give you enough time to think about the wider issues or the hierarchy of needs”, recalls Rachel.

“Particularly with a vulnerable patient, it can be four times that time to navigate a benefit, help with homelessness, educate about good kai, and building strong enough relationship that you can have those difficult conversations, rather than just pills.

“Our big challenge as a charity is the model costs over and above what the government gives us which is a real limiting step,” says Sara.

“Becoming more connected with my Māori culture and understanding more about health inequities that whanau experience was huge in conversations with Rachel where we united by common goals in serving vulnerable people.

“We have to cover around 70% of costs, but we’ve shown the model we are maintaining allows good personal care for each individual patient, while not overwhelming kaimahi”

And with the national nod from their peers around the ethos behind Manu Ora resulting in their awards, Sara and Rachel believe that shows the viability of their wrap-around services.