10 March 2014
Pictures attached: New graduate nurse Esther Allington, 27, loves her new job in primary
health care in Glen Innes
New Government funding helps local nurse to pursue her dream
NEW GRADUATE NURSE Esther Allington (27) has landed her dream job thanks to new
Government funding.
Miss Allington is one of 48 graduate nurses nationwide whose salaries are being funded by
the Government to work in high needs* communities.
Based at the East Tamaki Health Care Glen Innes clinic, Miss Allington simply loves her job.
"I love the people. I love the cultures here. Primary care was my favourite placement when I
was studying," she says.
"This is grassroots nursing and I want to make a difference to people and work to improve
their health outcomes."
Gillian Davies, clinical services manager nursing and allied health at East Tamaki Health Care,
says it wouldn't have been possible to employ Miss Allington, and two other graduate
nurses based in south Auckland and west Auckland, without the Government funding.
"What's more, we were able to give the new graduates an opportunity to start their career
in primary healthcare that they wouldn't have otherwise had," Mrs Davies says.
The employment of an extra nurse has also increased access for patients, she says.
The Government announced a funding injection of $2.4 million for 48 graduate nurses
earlier this year.
A sum of $50,000 goes directly to eligible general practices to employ a new graduate nurse
and support their development for 12 months.
In addition, the local District Health Board (DHB) provides support through the Nurse Entry
to Practice programme.
*A high needs population as defined by the Ministry of Health is when a general practice's
enrolled population is at least 50 per cent Māori, Pacific or New Zealand Deprivation Index
quintile 5.
About East Tamaki Healthcare
The East Tamaki Healthcare (ETHC) Group maintains the largest network of primary care
providers in New Zealand. ETHC clinics are spread throughout South, Central and West
Auckland. ETHC offers a diverse range of services within the scope of primary care, including
immunisations, doctor and nurse consultations, ACC, radiology, maternity, community and
clinic based mental health team services and minor surgery. ETHC is the sole provider of
primary care services to Total Healthcare PHO. You can find out more on the ETHC website
http://www.ethc.co.nz or the Total Healthcare website http://www.totalhealthcare.org.nz
For more information or comment:
Gillian Davies, clinical services manager
nursing and allied health, East Tamaki
Healthcare
021 204 0600
For media assistance:
Lucy Ratcliffe
The Website Company
021 566 739
ENDS