Health services pulse Social Worker

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 421, 28 January 1992, Page 12

Health services pulse Social Worker

by

Denis

Dwyer

Lindy Greg is the recently appointed community health social worker for the TaihapeWaiouru/Waimarino areas of the ManawatuWanganui Area Health Board. Lindy has lived in the area for thirty years, working most of that time at Taihape Collcge as a teacher and counsellor. More recently Lindy spent two years as a social worker for the Department of Social Welfare. Lindy has postgraduate counselling qualifications. This is the first time the area has had a health social worker. Health social workers are an integral part of the health team. Lindy works with individuals and families

using her skills to hclp people deal with the personal and social effccts of ill health and disability. "I am here to listen to people who have unresolved problems, to help them work through these problems and to provide them with information on resources and options. I want to make sure that when people make a decision it is an informed one," she explains. "My ultimate goal is to enable people to take back control of their lives at a time when they oftcn feel helpless." Lindy has a room at Taihape and Waimarino Rural Health Centres and she spcnds half of each weck based at each Health Centre, making visits to homes in each area as necessary. People may refer themselves to Lindy or they may be referred by rural health staff, general practitioners or community agencies. Lindy sees her networking, with other health professionals and community agencies, as one of the most essential parts of her job. She is finding her new position both challenging and satisfying.