Health social workers are specialised professionals and provide services to people using the services of Lakes District Health Board - Rotorua and Taupō. We work collaboratively with the patient, their family/whānau and other multi/inter disciplinary teams and interagency teams.
Health social workers can assist with:
- Helping individuals, families and whānau in making their own decisions about community based care.
- Providing information and helping families access resources in the hospital and the community.
- Providing support and health-related therapeutic conversation.
- Advocating for and negotiating on behalf of individuals, families and whānau.
- Helping with planning and discharge (referrals to other agencies in the community is part of this).
Issues that may arise when in hospital:
- Health, sickness and disability issues
- Grief/loss
- Carer stress
- Loss of independence
- Family violence
- Elder abuse
- Limited support
- Legal issues e.g. Enduring Power of Attorney/PPPR
Health social workers are service based; situated in inpatient, outpatient and community settings. They can be found at the following locations:
| Physical Health Services | Mental Health Services |
| Surgical Unit | Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (iCAMHS) |
| Orthopaedic Unit | Adult Community Mental Health & Addiction Services |
| Medical Unit | Mental Health Service for Older People (MHSOP) |
| Older Persons and Rehabilitation Unit | Taupō Mental Health |
| Woman, Child and Family Service (Maternal; Neonatal and Child Health) |
|
| District Nursing (Community Health) | |
| Taupō Hospital (Generic Physical Health) | |
Where to find us: see the Rotorua Hospital and Taupō Hospital maps.
Staff
| Name | Service Area | Contact |
| Natasha Stevens | Team Lead Social Work | (07) 349 8755 Ext 8050 |