Wellbeing support as part of your GP visit
Pictured Left to Right: Vanessa Uriarau, Latafale Iupeli , and Michelle Morum.
Did you know Ora Toa offers access to a Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) as part of your GP visit?
At Ora Toa, we know that life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you're experiencing stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, chronic pain, relationship challenges, addiction, bullying, or simply navigating a difficult life change, support is available.
Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) are qualified registered health professionals, such as nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals, who work as part of our medical centre teams. They provide free, practical, short-term support for people of all ages, helping whānau find strategies to improve their wellbeing and manage life's challenges.
One of the unique benefits of the HIP service is that support can often be accessed on the same day, in the same place, while attending a GP appointment. Rather than waiting for a referral to another service, whānau can be connected directly with a HIP for immediate support and guidance.
Unlike long-term therapy or counselling, HIP appointments are focused, practical, and usually around 30 minutes long. During each session, you and your HIP work together to create a simple, achievable plan that supports your overall hauora while addressing the specific challenge you're facing. The goal is to leave with practical tools and strategies that can be put into action straight away.
What can a HIP help with?
Health Improvement Practitioners provide support for a wide range of challenges that can impact our wellbeing, including:
Stress and feeling overwhelmed
Anxiety and low mood
Sleep difficulties
Chronic pain and long-term health conditions
Relationship and whānau challenges
Addiction and harmful habits
Bullying
Coping with difficult life changes
Building healthy routines and wellbeing strategies
General mental health and wellbeing support
If you're unsure whether a HIP is the right service for you, have a kōrero with our team. We're here to help.
How do I book an appointment?
Appointments can be booked through any member of our medical centre team, including reception, your doctor, or your nurse. Same-day appointments are often available, making it easier for whānau to access support when they need it most.
This service is free and available as part of your care at Ora Toa.
Meet our Health Improvement Practitioners
Our dedicated HIP team supports whānau across Ora Toa's medical centres:
Vanessa Uriarau – Cannons Creek Medical Centre (full-time)
Latafale Iupeli – 502 Rangatahi Ora (Wednesdays, Fridays and Tuesday mornings) and Takapūwāhia Medical Centre (Mondays, Thursdays and Tuesday afternoons)
Michelle Morum – Waitangirua Medical Centre (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays)
If you think a Health Improvement Practitioner could help you or someone in your whānau, speak to our reception team, your GP, or your nurse at your next visit. Our team can help connect you with a HIP and, where available, arrange a same-day appointment.
At Ora Toa, we're committed to making mental health and wellbeing support accessible, practical, and available when our whānau need it most.