Working in the Community

Foundation provided financial support to adapt the VIP model for primary healthcare, which was trialed at The Hastings Health Centre and coordinated by nurse Helen Francis.

During the first 18 months of this programme 2849 women were asked about their safety. Of these 140 were experiencing abuse and health clinicians had concerns about another 58 women. They assessed 1630 children for safety concerns (some more than once), 50 were either being abused or there were suspicions of abuse or neglect.

The programme continues at the centre with ongoing support from the Foundation.

Programme coordinator Debs Higgins says the value and potential health benefits of early recognition, response and referral for victims of abuse are tangible.

As a health professional it is empowering to know you have the training, knowledge and support to ask the right questions to deal with each scenario appropriately.

The support of the Foundation has allowed The Hastings Health Centre model to continuously evolve becoming embedded in the ethos of care provided by the health centre.