Parentline, Radius team up for free family health clinic

A free family health clinic will open in Palmerston St on Monday.

A joint initiative between Parentline and Radius Medical, the clinic will be in a wing of Parentline's building.

Parentline delivers social work and counselling services to vulnerable children and their families.

Parentline chief executive Cathy Holland said the organisation saw 500 children each year and given most of them were "from families of four or five" that provided a good population base for a family health centre to operate.

She said the clinic's proximity would create a symbiotic relationship with Parentline's clients. "We will be able to co-ordinate an appointment at the health centre after a child has been seen here."

Likewise, if a child presents at the clinic whose circumstances may make them suitable for a Parentline referral that can be arranged.

Radius Medical Davies Corner chief executive Dr Navin Rajan said patients enrolled with the Parentline clinic could access after-hours care at Radius Davies Corner and Radius Rototuna for free.

"This model was first established at the Kaute Family Medical Centre, which has been successful in removing barriers to accessing primary healthcare for the underprivileged during and after normal working hours, seven days a week."

Dr Rajan said while anyone may enrol at the free Parentline clinic, the service was intended for people with "limited options".

The clinic will be run by a doctor and a nurse practitioner. Ms Holland said the nurse practitioner would be particularly valuable as her additional training meant she could do more clinically and was able to prescribe.

She said the clinic's proximity to Waikato Hospital may encourage people to attend the clinic for non-urgent cases instead of attending the nearby emergency department.

The clinic will be open Monday to Friday 9-noon. Opening hours will increase in line with demand.