An occupational health service on a South Island marae

Tu Tangata, Issue 26, 1 October 1985, Page 56

An occupational health service on a South Island marae

By L. Fursdon

Nga-hau-e-wha Christchurch National Marae Inc

n my geographical area of responsibility there is a large national marae under construction. I made contact a couple of years ago with the folk working at the marae and over this time we have become very involved in the delivery of a health service to this unique occupational project.

There are several groups working under employment schemes from the Labour Department work skills, steps programme and PEP workers. The age range is 15 to late 50s, both male and female, and a mixture of ethnic origin, Maori, Pacific Island, and pakeha. This means there is very much a cross section of different interests and concepts of health and care. In all, over 200 people are involved in the project.

I have been readily accepted on the marae, and spent a considerable time building up relationships and assessing the health needs. One evening was spent in attending a meeting of the Nga-Hau-E-Wha Marae Trust Board where I was able to express my concern regarding the number of young people smoking, the poor concepts of diet and little knowledge of caring for their own health. Many are young people who will be future parents and the members of the Trust were most supportive of the suggestion that we work together towards a better ongoing health service for all.

Over the past two years to help develop an awareness of health, I have conducted B/P screening clinics. Sometimes the Department Medical Officer has been in attendance to see those who have come forward to ask for help or guidance on matters of health.

Visits to the marae increased to 2 weekly last year as my programme gathered momentum. Educational sessions formed a large part of the input and I involved other nurses and professionals in this, as set out below. 3 1 hour sessions by a Public Health Nurse on sexually transmitted diseases. 2 1 hour sessions with film on “Smoking” by educator. Heart Foundation. 1 1 hour session on Healthy Eating by dietitian. 4 1 hour sessions with film “Key to Cleanliness” covering food handling and general hygiene.

1 session with film ‘‘Toxic hazards in industry”. 3 sessions with films on alcohol. ‘‘With us all the way” and ‘‘Double Standards”. 2 1 hour sessions with film ‘‘As others see you”. Hygiene to prevent contact diseases, e.g. scabies, boils, pubic lice etc. Further education on pesticides and organophosphates is to be arranged for the gardeners. Three workers completed a Basic First Aid Course and this has ensured quite a good comprehensive coverage of the site for accidents and maintenance of first aid equipment. Emphasis is being put on the problems of alcohol and drug abuse. A weekly Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon groups have started and are gathering momentum. We give support only.

These two groups were started by marae personnel who had been in treatment, with the support of a worker in the alcohol and drug field. A small group of people working on the marae or giving volunteer help have been given the responsibility to offer support, identify those who could be victims and channel them into the appropriate existing treatment centre. I am assisting by arranging the opportunities for representatives from the existing treatment areas to visit the marae and to meet the group, and establish lines of communication, and make known their availability for giving support where understanding of Maori needs are required.

In November we did a diabetic project which proved to be most beneficial in highlighting health, team work and focusing on individual care of the workers. Lack of exercise is being dealt with by running physical activities weekly. These are organised by 2 Maori women volunteers who have recently become interested in the growth and development of the young people on the marae. We are working together and I appreciate their keen interest and good ideas. Plans are underway by the Health Department staff and senior supervisors on the marae to run a course over 6 months on a 2 weekly basis on “The Foods to

Eat”, preparation and cooking how to lose those extra kilograms. A dietitian is assisting. People are coming forward with ideas and requests where they feel there is a need, and periodically I am phoned by senior personnel at the marae for matters which they consider need nursing intervention. This work on the marae has proved very rewarding. There are positive indications that the people themselves are taking up the cudgels for the provision of their own health promotion service.