Auckland City Mission with Southern Cross Health Trust

Auckland City Mission’s Calder Health Centre provides primary care services to some of the most marginalised Aucklanders, many of whom have extremely high and complex health needs.

The Calder Centre is a low-cost General Practice closely integrated with the Mission’s social services. Many of its clients are homeless, families and individuals in crisis, clients with mental health concerns and those battling addiction.

In July 2018, the Southern Cross Health Trust made a three-year commitment to help support two essential nursing positions within the Centre. These positions provide primary care nursing support and patient treatments.

Niko* is a regular patient at the Calder Centre. “One of the worst things about sleeping rough is being wet all the time. My feet get infected because my shoes and socks are always wet. My feet smell and I am ashamed. The nurse at the Calder Centre cleans my feet and treats the infection. No one else wanted to do this for me.”

About the Calder Health Centre

The Centre has more than 1,600 enrolled patients and conducts more than 14,000 consultations annually. The average number of visits per patient is about three times the national rate, and consultations are significantly longer than usual in general practice, reflecting the deprivation and challenges faced by people accessing the Centre’s specialised services.

The Calder Centre is the only medical centre in New Zealand which is integrated with the services provided by an organisation like the Auckland City Mission. Its services include social services support, a mental health nurse practitioner, a Hepatitis C clinic, and a podiatrist. This service model provides an holistic approach to the health and social needs of patients.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

ACM Nurse Anna

A major part of the job for the Calder Health Centre's nurses is listening, smiling and supporting people through what they’re experiencing.

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