Manu Ora is a Wairau primary healthcare team, established in August 2021 as a registered charity and joint venture between Te Piki Oranga and Nuku Health.
Manu Ora refers to the bird taking flight having achieved hauora (wellbeing) and in December 2022 an independent evaluation assessed the ways in which this unique kaupapa Māori primary healthcare service in Wairau is achieving its goals.
One of the clear themes from the evaluation report is that Manu Ora goes beyond traditional healthcare. Examples include:
Giving more time to whānau. A much-higher ratio of clinicians to patients, compared to other practices, means more time with whānau and longer, more flexible appointments.
Helping whānau into housing, providing kai (pātaka) and improving access to care with free transport, appointments and home visits
Offering an extended programme for taha hinengaro (mental health) and wraparound services for vulnerable hapū māmā and pēpi in their first 1,000 days.
Allocating daily time to collaborate with community agencies, schools and other healthcare providers. Manu Ora is a qualified teaching practice for medical and nursing ākonga.
Easing the pressure. Effective, early intervention before whānau become seriously unwell has led to less presentations to ED and urgent care.
Te Ao Māori values and tikanga underpin all models of care. Kaimahi embed Te Whare Tapa Whā principles from the start of their kōrero with whānau.
Feedback
The evaluation report gives voice to compelling feedback from whānau, kaimahi and governance stakeholders. Here are some examples:
“My first consult shocked me...time was taken to look into my whole hauora, my whare tapa whā, my haerenga. They were all considered and acknowledged with respect and kindness. I felt like I could be who I am as a Māori. I felt heard.” (whānau comment)
“She explains everything, not in doctors' terms, but it in a way we can understand.” (whānau comment)
“They take the time, and they listen and observe; they already know you because they have read the notes and heard your story, not just what you're in for.” (whānau comment)
“Eye opening. In practice previously we might have seen someone once, but they don't come back and deal with some of the underlying chronic issues. But to have people come back and trust us with their health journey has been pretty cool.” (Manu Ora kaimahi comment)
“We can definitely see it having an effect. The emergency department-type maladies are being addressed earlier...we would have lost four or five people given their chronic conditions and would have had more people in hospital…with a lot of people I think that actually seeing a doctor gives people a sense of something. Makes people feel that they’re on their way to getting better.” (Te Piki Oranga kaimahi comment)
“I do not know how it would have gone without the [Te Piki Oranga] partnership. They help with the financial management and are aware of our finances. We got [name removed] to help with the strategy day and she is now the co-chair of the IMPB. Pleased the collaboration is so strong.” (Manu Ora governance comment)
