Hastings Health Centre Family Violence Programme

The Hastings Health Centre's commitment to complete health has seen us develop a programme to promote patient safety, emotionally and physically.  This is the first time such a scheme has been established in New Zealand primary care and it is strongly supported by the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

We have strong relationships with a wide variety of community organisations such as Dove, Women's Refuge, Birthright and Family Works.  These relationships help support our programme and the safety of THHC patients.  

How the programme works

All clinical staff attend training on how to ask patients about their personal safety and have strategies to respond if there are patient safety concerns.

Every woman over 16, all men and all girls over 11, with symptoms of domestic violence, is asked whether they are safe at home and whether they are experiencing any abuse.  If someone discloses that they are experiencing abuse, the doctor or nurse can support that person and advise them about the wide range of assistance services available. 

Our programme includes rigorous systems and documentation processes to streamline the referrals process to supporting community agencies.    

Child abuse

Our staff are trained to identify if a child is being hurt or at risk of being hurt.  Hastings Health Centre staff work with Child Youth Family (CYF) to keep children safe. Hastings Health Centre staff also have strong relationships with family support agencies.

Parenting can be difficult and sometimes parents need extra help. There are many agencies in the community who can support and help families with resources. 

Practical parenting help and support can be provided by many of the family support agencies e.g child care, budgeting, counselling and anger management strategies and HHC will liaise to arrange this. 

Seeking help

If you would like to seek help or are worried about a family member, you can talk in confidence to your doctor or nurse about support available.  

Are you being abused?
 A questionnaire that will help you to determine whether you're in an abusive relationship.
Download [131.3 KB]

Power and control of children

Here are two diagrams that explain nurturing and abusive ways of dealing with children: 

Children's non-violence wheel
Download [154 KB]

Children's power and control wheel about child abuse.
Download [156.4 KB]

Safety plans

The safety of you and your family is the most important thing.  Women's Refuge has three safety plans providing information that other women have found useful.  These are for if you are staying at home, if you are intending to leave and for after you have left.

Safety Plan for after you've left
Download [128.1 KB]

Safety Plan for leaving a situation of violence
Download [136.3 KB]

Safety Plan for staying in a situation of violence.
Download [126 KB]

http://www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Local support agencies

Dove HB works with other agencies to provide a coordinated response to family violence.  It provides support and education programmes for women who are or have experienced family violence and Stopping Violence programmes for men who have offended.  Support and advocacy services are provided for people who are or have experienced family violence.  Services are also offered to youth who have witnessed or been victims of family violence.  Social work services are also offered to young offenders, and for women dealing with their anger management   

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (06) 843 5307
Fax: (06) 842 1601
 

Birthright

http://www.birthright.org.nz/brwhat.html

134 Kennedy Rd

Napier

Ph 06 872 2227

Family Works 

http://www.familyworks.org.nz/Site/Regions/Eastcoast/Default.aspx