South Taranaki Rural Health

At the end of 2019 an enhanced rural model of care called South Taranaki Rural Health (STRH) was proposed for the South Taranaki community. STRH aims to improve health outcomes through a focus on high quality, accessible, sustainable and culturally responsive primary and community services.

While current hospital services will remain available to the community, implementation of STRH is now underway.

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COMPLETE	Rural medical training and education Key facility for development and training of the South Taranaki rural workforce Pivotal to growing and retaining a South Taranaki workforce fit for the region’s future.
COMPLETE
	After-hours phone access to South Taranaki GP services Facilitated after-hours by Homecare Medical Run by registered healthcare professionals who provide health advice over the phone and/or refer patients to the most appropriate service for their specific health needs (including emergency services).
	St John ‘see and treat’ service An additional paramedic service that provides assessment and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries at the patient’s location, e.g. wound care, ear nose and throat examinations, etc.
	South Taranaki Rural Health General Practice Staffed by a team made up of senior nurses that are specialists in general practice care, and general practitioners with specialist training in rural hospital medicine Provides all services typical of a general practice, including diagnosis and treatment; health education; disease prevention and screening. Acute and episodic care for patients requiring a same day appointment. See below for more information.
IN PROGRESS	South Taranaki Rural Health General Practice Introduction of extended-hours/weekend services
	Recruitment to the Extended Care team (some roles still to be filled) A range of health professionals (e.g. social worker, clinical pharmacist or dietitian) who support patients and coordinate services in the region to better manage patients’ health needs. Will support all patients regardless of the practice they are enrolled in.
PLANNED	Plans for additional services are currently being investigated. Further details about these plans will be provided once they are available.

South Taranaki Rural Health General Practice (the Practice)

The Practice is open to both enrolled and walk-in patients that need primary health care services. While all patients are welcome, if you’re already enrolled at another clinic, your usual doctor will be more familiar with any ongoing health issues you may have. Therefore we recommend you try to book an appointment there first for continuity of health care.

Want to know more about the Practice?
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South Taranaki Rural Health General Practice
Phone 0800 225 571

Media releases

New GP service helps to meet primary healthcare needs of South Taranaki community - 22 February, 2021
South Taranaki community considers rural model of health care - 26 November, 2019

Forum meetings

The Taranaki ki te Tonga Health Forum meetings are the mechanism for the Taranaki District Health Board (TDHB) and the South Taranaki community representative organisations to share information, identify issues and put forward possible solutions to address the needs of the community and their access to services.

Below are the key messages from some of the meetings:

Last updated: Wednesday, June 9, 2021