Global reach for Far North research
A Far North doctor has sparked international interest amongst practitioners and policy-makers with his thesis research in the field of obesity.
Dr Ricky Bell (Nga¯puhi, Nga¯ti Hine, Nga¯ti Hau, Te Rarawa, Te Aupo¯uri), who lives in Kaitaia, and has clinical roles at the Mamaru GP clinic at Cooper’s Beach and Broadway Health at Kaitaia Hospital, spent a year facilitating his own community-based research in Te Tai Tokerau before completing the four-year PhD research programme at Otago University, where he graduated last month.
His paper, Understanding obesity in the context of an indigenous population, was one of last year’s most shared in one of the biggest medical journals in the Asia-Pacific region after it was published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice.
His paper — Huarahi Hauora: Identifying a pathway forward to wellness with Tangata Whenua’— was described by by one of his thesis examiners, Professor Meihana Durie, as a blueprint for other iwi-centred hauora researchers with its approach to conducting research with indigenous populations, along with potential benefits for other indigenous communities.
“What’s different about our research is that we are using indigenous knowledge-gathering processes within a targeted community to see if we can identify a way to increase the likelihood that people will be more successful in sustaining a
Dr Ricky Bell, whose research is gaining international attention.
healthy lifestyle,” Dr Bell said.
“Our research has provided a platform whereby Ma¯ori have added their own voice to the obesity narrative.
“Wha¯nau and hapu¯ certainly have the capacity to effect the changes that we need. It will take some time, but I strongly believe that we can get there. We simply have to, or our
wha¯nau will continue to remain on the wrong side of all the health statistics.”
He acknowledged the $4000 scholarship from Te Ru¯nanga-aIwi o Nga¯puhi, which enabled him to complete his studies more quickly than would otherwise have been possible, while the ru¯nanga acknowledged the value of its investment.
“Dr Bell’s achievement and completion of his PhD reminds us of the importance and value of supporting Nga¯puhi through tertiary study, and we hope to learn more about his research and innovative approaches to help our own people overcome the challenges of obesity to lead happier and healthier lives,” CEO Lorraine Toki said. The Ministry of Health and ACC announced last week that they were in the final stages of agreeing a three-year contract with a joint venture between the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) and the Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST).
A contract had not yet been signed, but the parties were close to reaching agreement on the “critical elements.”
The contract relates to a tender released by the ministry (via the National Ambulance Sector Office) earlier this year to provide air ambulance services, including inter-hospital transfers. Under the new contracting framework, there will be three regions across New Zealand – northern (Northland and Auckland), central and southern.
Under the joint venture proposal put forward by ARHT and NEST, the combined service will continue to use the existing rescue helicopter bases in Whanga¯rei, Auckland and Whitianga, and a 24/7 service will continue, with upgraded aircraft and systems to provide the best level of patient care.
The ministry and ACC hope to make a formal announcement on the signing of the contract for the northern region before the end of the month, and that the new amalgamated service will be operating before the end of March next year.