Mrs Kathy Turner1
1Health New Zealand Hawkes Bay, HASTINGS, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Biography:
Kathy Turner – BN, Post Grad Cert in Health Science.
Currently working as CNS Advanced Kidney Care in Hawkes Bay Renal Service, with prior nursing in ICU, medical, public health and pediatric specialties, and clinical tutor for EIT.
Abstract:
Background:
The impact of chronicity related to CKD and being dialysis dependent, in addition to ethnicity (Māori), low socio-economic demographics, and poor health literacy, has become isolating and negatively impacting the overall level of wellness and quality of life outcomes experienced by a large proportion of the Hawkes Bay end-stage CKD patient cohort, particularly our Māori population. This general cohort identifies a lack of accessible physical peer support within our region.
Aim:
To establish meaningful connections and networks to facilitate people with end-stage CKD and dialysis-dependent lives to engage with peers sharing similar challenges and goals, improving health and wellbeing through uptake of regular community-based sessions varying in activity and combined with informal supportive education methods. Collaboration with allied health members including renal dietitian, social worker, and AKC nurses, Hawkes Bay Diabetes and Renal Kaiāwhina, Sport Hawkes Bay Green Prescription, and Hastings District Council Community Hub was undertaken to develop an 8-week “taste tester” schedule as a basis for permanent continuation of group sessions (10–11 AM).
Results:
Free access, motivation, and support, including assistance with transportation to attend tailored weekly group sessions to a combination of either already established community sessions or specific renal-only sessions, was devised and delivered. Attendance was provided to each session by two members from within the renal allied health team.
Conclusions:
Currently pending, given we are actively in the rollout phase, but will be concluded in time for the conference.