Social worker Jo Oliver has come to us with twelve years’ experience working in health and disability and works Monday – Thursday. There is no charge for a social work appointment and Jo is able to visit people in their home if needed.

The health social workers role includes assisting patients and their family/whanau to be safe in their environment, to be self-determining, and to manage the personal/whanau and /or social effects of life changes due to ill health or disability.

This includes advanced care planning, enduring power of attorney information, welfare guardianship applications, pregnancy decision making, advocacy and collaborative work with WINZ, Disability Support Link, ACC and other government organisations, short term grief, loss and trauma support in order to improve coping, Mini ACE cognitive assessments, risk assessments and safety planning.