New wellbeing system offers fast responses

Mild to moderate mental health needs can be addressed by a ‘‘wellbeing practitioner’’ within 24 hours at some Marlborough medical clinics.

About 30 patients from two Marlborough practices have been referred to wellbeing practitioner Suzie Dimmendaal in the five weeks since the role began.

The role is part of a national initiative to improve access and choice in mental health support in the primary sector, announced in Budget 2019.

The Marlborough model has been based on te tumu waiora – meaning ‘‘to head towards wellness and health’’ – trialled by Procare in Auckland.

Marlborough Primary Health Organisation (PHO) wellbeing practitioner Dimmendaal said addressing wellbeing in the primary sector allowed a faster response, with people usually seen within 24 hours of a doctor’s referral.

‘‘People are almost surprised, like: I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon,’’ she said.

‘‘I can see that it is primary care and if we work earlier and access is easier, we can put a hold on those people ending up in secondary services.

‘‘That is what I have really become excited about over the past five weeks.’’

Dimmendaal, a registered nurse, had a background in education and counselling and had worked in four district health boards across New Zealand, returning to Marlborough because she loved Picton.

Her patients, from Omaka Health Centre and Civic Family Health Care, ranged from ages 14 to 76, Dimmendaal said.

Her role was to provide clients up to five sessions of ‘‘brief, focused therapy’’, while also supporting and upskilling general practice staff.

Patients usually visited Dimmendaal before medication, and came away with lifestyle changes and strategies rather than a diagnosis. ‘‘For some it is a different approach, if they are used to sitting with a counsellor and just sitting for the whole time talking about their problems and then they spiral down into more low mood and more anxiety.

‘‘In this way, we are saying: yes life has been really difficult for you but what can we now do to make that easier for you.’’

The strategies included looking at mood in relation to lifestyle choices like diet and sleep, Dimmendaal said.

‘‘People can look at lifestyle choices and understand that they are struggling and they are stuck, more than they are needing a mental health diagnosis.’’

PHO clinical co-ordinator Katrina Flynn said addressing wellbeing in the primary sector normalised mental health issues. ‘‘They could be going for a blood pressure check at the GP, no-one would know. If you had a wound that needed dressing, you would go to your GP. You wouldn’t have to be sent off to a specialist.

‘‘People don’t have to be sent off, as such, when it is in the mild to moderate area; it can be managed in the general practice,’’ Flynn said.

The Ministry of Health released a request for proposals for primary health funding in September. Flynn said the PHO and Nelson Marlborough Health had put a proposal to the Government on their model last month, which aligned with programmes across New Zealand.

‘‘What was reassuring in that proposal is that this is the model the Government wants rolled out across the country.

‘‘We are in line with exactly what has been done elsewhere.’’

Wellbeing practitioners had been introduced throughout New Zealand as part of the new model, including in Nelson.

Clinical services programme manager Glenis Mcalpine said the PHO intended to employ at least another three wellbeing practitioners, to roll out across all Marlborough medical practices next year.