What is Tōku Oranga?

Tōku Oranga means 'My Wellbeing' and is also known as Access and Choice. The team consists of Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches and Community Support Workers (see service descriptions below).

Tōku Oranga places qualified mental health practitioners in general practices, making it faster and easier to access care. They provide free and timely support for patients and clients wanting help to improve self-management and provide guidance with behaviour change - including addressing stress, addictions, social issues, or long-term physical health struggles.

Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)

The Health Improvement Practitioner provides free 20-30 minute consultations to Te Kāika Dunedin Medical Practice patients. HIPs collaborate with nurses and general practitioners to provide behavioural health strategies when stress and life problems begin to impair health. HIPs visit people at all ages for any condition, no matter the issue. Clients may achieve their objectives in a single visit, while others may return to acquire new skills. There is no restriction to how many times someone can visit our HIPs.

Stress, sleep, healthy weight, grief, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, alcohol/drugs/smoking, fatigue, pain, high blood pressure, and child/youth development concerns are some of the reasons for which individuals seek help from a HIP. You can schedule an appointment through reception or ask your doctor or nurse to refer you. Appointments are usually available on the same day. HIPs will frequently provide group sessions; for example, this year we ran several 'Breathing for Wellness' workshops which teach breathing techniques to increase wellness, as well as gardening workshops to encourage movement, and improve mental health.

Health Coach

Like HIPs, Health Coaches accept same-day, ‘warm handovers’ from GP staff of clients and patients needing their help. They come from a range of health and well-being backgrounds, supporting people to take positive steps forward for improving their health. This includes:

• Empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing;
• Helping you develop realistic goals;  
• Encouraging good management of various health issues that you want addressed;
• Discuss how to be more active by doing things you enjoy;

Community Support Workers

Community Support Workers support those with anything that is non-clinical, but having a large impact on people's well-being and ability to make progress. The key word is “support” as CSW walk alongside people, supporting them to achieve their goals. This can include:

• Providing support to you and your whānau in your own community;
• Supporting your independence;
• Connecting you to services in the community;
• Working with you towards your health and wellbeing goals.

Participants must be registered at Te Kāika Dunedin or Te Kāika Ōamaru.