More nurses for the Bay

NEW START: Graduate nurse Robyn Wickham (left) with Ngati Kahu Hauora Practice Manager Judy Harpur (right) where she begins work this week under a Ministry of Health scholarship fund.

Robyn Wickham says she has a very special reason to put her heart and soul into her new job starting this week under a Ministry of Health initiative.

"My husband Garry died from cancer four years ago and I would love to be able to give back a little of the care and support we received," she said.

Mrs Wickham will be working at Bethlehem's Ngati Kahu Hauora as one of five Bay of Plenty nurses offered a one-year scholarship.

"To be able to offer that to others would be very rewarding for me."

The mother of four worked in administration and accounts before beginning a three-year Bachelor of Nursing at Waiariki Polytechnic.

The nurse placements were secured by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board and will support general practices serving the most vulnerable communities.

In the Bay there are 10 Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) practices serving the most high-needs populations - meaning half have received graduate nurses. Two placements are with practices aligned to Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, two with Nga Maatapuna Oranga, and one with Eastern Bay of Plenty Primary Health Alliance.

The scholarship fund will provide 48 placements nationwide.