Photo: Our Whānau Voice team in brown Te Tiratū tees, Megan Tunks and Raven Torea with the wahine of National Hauora Coalition in Tokoroa.
A lack of awareness about help they’re entitled to, long wait times, and difficulties with transport to appointments were among the pressing issues raised by whānau at the South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services Hauora Day, held at Tokoroa Hospital on Saturday. The event, attended by our Whānau Voice team, provided an opportunity to listen to the everyday challenges whānau face in accessing healthcare. They shared concerns about navigating the health system, securing appointments, and the impact of these barriers on their mental well-being.
Navigating the system: A major barrier
One of the most significant challenges whānau raised was the difficulty in understanding what health services they were entitled to and how to access them. Many expressed frustrations over a lack of clear information and support. Booking appointments was another common struggle, with urgent care often easier to access than planned visits. One kuia recalled her experience of seeking advice at a local clinic, only to be directed to an online consultation, which left her feeling unheard and confused.
Impact on mental health & emotional wellbeing
Mental health concerns, particularly for tamariki, were also a recurring theme in conversations. Whānau spoke about the anxiety children experience in emergency departments, the wait time and the stress of dealing with overburdened medical staff. Many lamented the loss of long-term relationships with family doctors, which they felt made healthcare visits these days feel less personal and more rushed. The time it takes to get in to see a GP created a major barrier to healthcare access for whānau, leaving many worried about getting the care they needed when they needed it.
Transport woes: A six-hour journey for healthcare
For kaumātua and those needing specialist care in Waikato, transport was a significant hurdle. Some whānau reported having to leave home at 5:30 AM for an 11:30 AM appointment which is a long day in hospital waiting where food and drinks are expensive, before returning home in the evening. The exhausting ordeal of accessing healthcare underscored the urgent need for better transport solutions.
Listening & learning from whānau
Throughout the day, our Te Tiratū team engaged with service providers, participated in iwi radio discussions, and gained deeper insights into the needs of the Tokoroa community. We are so grateful to all the whānau who took the time to share their whakaaro with us that is being shared with Te Whatu Ora. If you have whakaaro to share, we welcome your voice as we continue to understand and reflect the needs of our people in our regular reporting to Te Whatu Ora.