PHO Profiles

Learn more about the activities and initiatives taking place in primary health organisations (PHOs) around New Zealand. These profiles give you an overview of the activity or initiative, then delve deeper into the detail by examining the initiative from the viewpoints of different people involved. The profiles are the voice of the PHO. A range of clinicians, practitioners, and service users have been interviewed for each profile. We thank them for their willingness to share their experiences, expertise, highlights and some key learnings.

Don't forget to check out our database for more information on what is happening in primary mental health and addiction in New Zealand.

If you would like to have your activity or initiative profiled please contact us on info   "at" primarymentalhealth.co.nz.

MidCentral DHB's shared care approach

MidCentral DHB's shared care programme, a partnership between their community mental health service and GP practices, is providing free support to people to manage their own mental wellbeing within their community environment. Read about how this programme, being delivered across four PHOs, is meeting the needs of people using this service as well as the general practitioners and practice nurses providing the support. 

Whanganui Regional PHO's innovative approach

An innovative and futuristic approach to primary mental health, with a very strong focus on improving access, is the aim of Whanganui Regional PHO. Read about their innovative and successful ABC alcohol screening programme and their strong whanau ora approach to meeting the needs of their community.  

HealthWEST PHO integrates programmes to offer a comprehensive service

Primary mental health does not exist in isolation to other health services and HealthWEST PHO is working on a system that integrates all of its programmes (lifestyle options, primary partnership and your choice) to provide a seamless and comprehensive service to people enrolled in their primary health organisation (PHO).

Rural Canterbury PHO's brief intervention coordination service

GPs refer clients to a brief intervention coordinator (BIC) who offers five free sessions of therapy to adult clients with mild to moderate mental health concerns. Clients are then referred to community agencies or assisted to access secondary care if necessary. A youth BIC service has also been introduced.

TaPasefika PHO chronic care management (CCM) depression module

Chronic care management (CCM) has been such a successful model in areas such as diabetes, chronic heart failure, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that TaPasefika PHO decided to also use it with depression.

Taranaki Primary Connections

Three primary health organisations (PHOs) in the Taranaki region are working together to ensure a primary mental health initiative is available to as many people as possible. The programme is available to anyone aged 18 years and older with mild to moderate mental health issues who is unable to afford to pay for counselling services themselves.

Te Pou Ora o Te Piringatahi

One size does not fit all in primary mental health and that's why a six-PHO collaborative in Northland fits various models around the needs of its vastly different communities. The six PHOs involved in the collaborative initiative known as Te Pou Ora o Te Piringatahi are Hauora Hokianga, Tihewa Mauriora, Tai Tokerau PHO, Manaia PHO, Kaipara Care Incorporated PHO and Whangaroa PHO. This profile features the first two PHOs in this list.

Tumai Mo Te Iwi PHO - Primary Solutions

The service objectives are to provide timely mental health intervention, co-ordinate support services and provide brief interventions to ensure clients' individual needs are met, reduce barriers and improve access to services and promote an integrated model of care at the primary health care level. The service is for clients in primary care who live with mild to moderate mental health disorders and are enrolled in the PHO. Maori, Pacific and low income are the targets groups. The primary mental health co-ordinator works with the client to assess need, link to services and provide brief interventions.

Turanganui PHO's primary mental health initiative

This district's pilot project started in December 2007. Known as the Primary Mental Health Initiative the "bottom up" approach is designed to offer assessment, treatment and support to people presenting to general practitioners with mild to moderate mental health conditions.

West Coast PHO's mental health programme

The West Coast of the South Island is rugged and beautiful. Home to about 30,000 people this region has faced some significant health challenges, not least attracting and retaining general practice doctors. However, the primary mental health initiative of the Greymouth-based West Coast PHO is providing a shining beacon of hope to people experiencing mild to moderate mental illness on the coast.