Health New Zealand | Te Toka Tumai Auckland

Ake Ake Ake - Kia kaha te reo Māori. Ko te hiranga o te reo Māori i roto i te Hauora, he whakatūturu i te manaakitanga o te tangata me tōna whānau e kimi āwhina ana. Ehara i te mea me matatau te reo, engari mā te kōrero Māori tonu ki te tangata kōrero Māori e ora ai te whanaungatanga, te māramatanga me te whakapono i taua hononga tāngata. He whakanui hoki i te mana o te ahurea taketake o te tangata hei puāwai ai ngā putanga hauora e tika ana, e hāngai ana, e tāroa ana hoki ki a ia, otirā ki tōna whānau whānui. He rongoā te reo Māori ki a tātou katoa, ka mutu, he mea whakaaweawe i te oranga tonutanga o te tūroro, o te whānau, o te hapū, o te iwi, o ngā kaimahi anō hoki puta noa i te rāngai Hauora. The importance of te reo Māori in health settings ensures effective communication for the care of those seeking help. No one is asking for fluency, but respectful use of te reo Māori enhances understanding and patient trust. It acknowledges the cultural identity of the patient, making them feel respected and valued which can create outcomes that are lasting and positive. The use of te reo Māori will enrich everyone’s lives and experiences for patient, healthcare professionals and whānau. This week celebrates "Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori", we are so pleased to support the theme which looks at the importance of making te reo Māori a forever language, and we look forward to celebrating this language which is also an official language here in Aotearoa. Image description: stylised Māori design with various colours.

Auckland City Hospital’s Cardiovascular Directorate employs over 900 people, from heart and lung transplant surgeons and specialist nurses to dieticians, physiotherapists, social workers, psychologists and more. The Directorate is unique globally, due to its scale, the combination of services and its leading research units, known around the world for doing first-in-human clinical trials and using the best, newest technology available. To help their patients get to know them as people, the Directorate recently made this moving, insightful video where kaimahi discuss everything from memorable moments to what makes them feel proud. “Clinical outcomes are really important, but so is feeling cared for, understanding the process, feeling comfortable to ask questions, and seeing that we are just people like you” says Quality and Equity Manager Jenna Keepa. A very special introduction to an incredible team - watch below.

It’s Thank an Orderly Day – An important day to acknowledge and celebrate an incredible workforce. We spoke to Tala and Bodhi, two of our awesome hardworking orderlies at Auckland City Hospital, to find out more. Tala, from Samoa, has been with us for two and a half years. She had worked in the retail sector for 17 years previously and had always been attracted by the potential job satisfaction she thought she’d find as an orderly. This mother of two hasn’t been disappointed with what she says has been a great career move. “I get to interact with so many people, staff and patients -some of them I get to know quite well if they have a long time in hospital. I am sure if I kept track of how many steps I do a shift, I would be very surprised!” Bodhi, from Sri Lanka, has been an orderly for just over a year. He’s had a pretty stellar rise in responsibility in that short time – rising to be an orderly dispatcher. Bodhi has a diploma in Information and Technology – which always helps in a leadership role. “The colleagues here are fantastic – so many different cultures, and I especially love the weekends when I get more responsibility – and though there are hard days, I think I am destined to be here a long time.” A huge ngā mihi nui to our Orderly whānau - we’d be lost without you.

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Meet Krupa Sureshkumar, Medical Laboratory Scientist and our Local Hero 💚 Krupa was nominated by her colleagues. “Krupa brings a strong work ethic and a very positive attitude to her job. She always puts patients first and works with great integrity. “Krupa greets everyone with a smile and consistently shows self-motivation and a willingness to help others. Her proactive approach ensures that the service runs smoothly. “We are grateful to Krupa her outstanding leadership and dedication to the team.” Do you know someone on our team, like Krupa, who goes above and beyond? Show your appreciation by nominating them as a Local Hero https://lnkd.in/gN4rNHc5 Image description: A staff member with long brown hair in a ponytail, brown eyes and a wide smile. Krupa is wearing a navy and red floral top. She is holding a trophy made from blue glass.

We've completed construction of a 240m service tunnel connecting the central plant to the Auckland City Hospital main building. It has taken a lot of hard mahi to reach this stage. Facilities Infrastructure Remediation Programme Project Manager Antony Smith walks us through a section of the tunnel and provides a brief update. The next step is to install, connect, and then commission utility lines such as electricity, steam, water supply pipes, and sewer pipes.

Meet Alison Hedge, Clinical Midwife Manager, Fetal Medicine and our Local Hero 💚 Alison was nominated by a colleague. Alison is one of the kindest people I know, a true leader and a healer. Anyone who interacts with her feels better when they leave, including both patients and staff. She supports her staff by finding a solution. She leads with empathy and is always honest and fair. Alison is a Local Hero for her loyalty and dedication to Te Toka Tumai Auckland and to wāhine, pēpi and whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau. Do you know someone on our team, like Alison, who goes above and beyond? Show your appreciation by nominating them as a Local Hero https://lnkd.in/gN4rNHc5 Image description: A staff member with short brown hair and a wide smile. Alison is wearing a bright orange top and a grey cardigan. She is holding a trophy made from blue glass.

Meet Aimee-Grace Brown, Charge Nurse and our Local Hero 💚 Aimee-Grace was nominated by a nursing student. As a Māori nursing student in my transitional year, I owe a great deal of my progress and resilience to the unwavering support of whaea Grace. Her genuine warmth and aroha create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their role or cultural background, feels valued and respected. This nurturing atmosphere is marked by a notable absence of power imbalances among staff; whether doctors or nurses, everyone gets along, fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture that reflects Grace's exemplary leadership, and underscores the importance of increasing the representation of Māori nurses within our healthcare system, which in turn contributes to greater cultural competence and diversity within the profession. As a charge nurse, Grace embodies dedication and compassion, serving as a role model for all. Grace's steadfast encouragement has been especially pivotal during moments of doubt, particularly during a time when I felt like giving up and questioned if nursing was the right path for me. Her consistent support and belief in my abilities solidify her position as a local hero in my eyes. Do you know someone on our team, like Aimee-Grace, who goes above and beyond? Show your appreciation by nominating them as a Local Hero http://spr.ly/60459pkeU Image description: A staff member with brown hair pulled back from her face and tortoiseshell glasses. Aimee-Grace is wearing a grey senior nurse uniform. She is holding a trophy made from blue glass.

"Don't be shy, step up for yourself, be brave - you can do it." Wise words from Sia, one of our talented Health Cadetship graduates who now has a career in aged care. Jointly run by Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development, the Cadetship is a paid, eight-week, 30-hour-per-week programme. MSD funds cadets’ wages, which are paid at the Public Service Association rates for the respective role. More than 80 percent of participants are employed with us six months after graduating and others are employed elsewhere. Learn more or register your interest if it sounds like something you're keen for: https://lnkd.in/g996Aeku

We are thrilled to announce that Starship Children's Hospital has been recognised with a Merit Award in the ‘Warren and Mahoney Civic, Health and Arts' category for our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) expansion project at the prestigious Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards. Hailed as the most prestigious property awards programme in New Zealand, the awards celebrate excellence in design and innovation. The project includes additional ICU and high dependency unit (HDU) beds, as well as dedicated spaces for whānau and staff. These areas are designed with natural light, bright colours, and ceiling tiles that evoke a tree canopy, creating a calming, nature-inspired environment. "We are incredibly proud to receive this award," said Kathy Peacock, Facilities Project Manager (Pictured centre, with kaimahi from the PICU expansion team). "It celebrates our commitment to enhancing healthcare facilities and improving patient care through innovative design and functionality." A big shout out to the team who managed the complex work in a live hospital, completing the project 10 weeks ahead of schedule. Special thanks to our partners: RDT Pacific, Chow:Hill Architects, RLB Rider Levett Bucknall, Built Environs, McConnell Dowell, Beca, Aurecon, AECOM and Jensen Hughes. Pictured: 1. Te Toka Tumai Facilities Project Manager Kathy Peacock with the team involved with the PICU expansion celebrating their Merit Award. 2. The new PICU space.