Social shift

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 443, 14 July 1992, Page 6

Social shift

BY

JAN

SAVELL

After nine months in the Community House Waiouru's Social Worker, Denise Lenihan, has shifted to new premises. Denise is now located at the back of the hospital, with the Physiotherapist in the old Maternity Annex. "The situation of my new office is very private," said Denise. "Clients will be able to drive around the back of the building. The physiotherapist is working from the same wing but I don't think there will be any conflict as far as confidentiality goes." "Some people have expressed concern that mothers may not have transport to get into the Camp to see me but I don't see this as a problem as I have always been happy to visit people in their home." Historically the Waiouru Social Worker has had an office in the Community Health Rooms. Denise's predecessor, Kathy Frater, moved the office to the Community House when the Health Rooms became too crowded. The Army supplied the community house for Denise and the Community Resource Centre. "With the Community Resource Centre becoming more active conflict arose between the confidentiality of the job I am doing and the need for both users to have space," said Denise. "To allow the Community House to be fully utilized it was preferable that I had a different base." A number of options

were looked at but the Hospital was the most cost effective and had the additional advantage of allowing Denise to have social contact with other health professionals. "There was a sense of isolation with me working alone. Some days the only things I talked with people about were problems." Capt Fountain offered the room at the hospital. Now Denise shares the wing with Joy Vanderpol and will join the hospital staff at teabreaks. Just two months ago Denise suffered an angina attack which she puts down to "trying to do it all." "It was a warning. The ( causes were related to stress and not taking care of myself" explained Denise. "It scared me silly. Now I've had to learn to take my own medicine of relaxation, time-out and setting priorities." Setting priorities at work is essential for Denise when her brief is to serve the Waiouru Turn to page 1 1

Social worker

From page 6 community, military and civilian. Most of her time has been spent working with families and she has been pleasantly surprised to find males just as ready as females to approach her. "Every-one has the right to come through my door as a private citizen whether they are referred by another professional, their mil-

itary unit or they come themselves. It has been good to find that men feel comfortable making that approach." The Army will continue to support the Community Resource Centre's occupation of the Community House. The group believe that the social worker's shift will allow a greater range of programmes to be run in the building.