Living well

A Te Whatu Ora Southern case study was recently published to provide insights into improving the support for Māori trauma patients as they transition from the hospital to community care.

In the Maniototo area, a mobile dental clinic provides free oral health services for children annually, including applying topical fluoride for caries prevention.

For 25 years (not consecutively) the Southland Literacy Association has had a special partnership with Southland Hospital through its Books for Babies project.  

Across Southern there are many volunteers working in the health sector and in the community to grow our people, open minds, open hearts and create joy.  

Time for Change – Te Hurihanga is a focused, Te Whatu Ora Southern-led programme to address health, equity, location, social and systemic issues, and put people at the centre of care.

Listen to Southern Health Future from Otago Access Radio for news and health information for you and your family.

Hospital General Manager Simon Donlevy says it is very much appreciated to have his staff recognised for going above and beyond providing care for Southlanders in the most challenging and disruptive circumstances. 

If you are aged 15 to 30 years and haven’t had at least one MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, or you are not sure, get your FREE immunisation now. Measles is a serious disease that is about eight times more contagious than COVID-19.

This is all thanks to the gents at the Taieri Blokes Shed in Mosgiel - a space which brings men together, creating friendships and working on meaningful projects which give back to their community.  

May 31 is World Smokefree Day and this year’s theme is We’re Backing You, highlighting that the journey towards being smokefree is a team effort and takes will and dedication as well as support and compassion from whānau, friends, communities, and healt

Foundation president Craig Smith says the focus today remains much the same from when it was first founded in 1966. 

Helping people is in Maria’s DNA given her mother, who was the director of social services at a hospital in Argentina, used to say, “We are here to hold their hands.” Meaning, we are here to support and help people.   

Transport World executive director Joc O’Donnell is a big Kombi fan. 

She bought the Kombi, now dubbed Florence, off Trade Me and transported her from Hastings to Invercargill.  

WhŌ recently donated crocheted bereavement baskets to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Dunedin Hospital.

This was undertaken at Southland Hospital and also using Mobile surgical services in Balclutha, Gore and Queenstown.