Karori PHO

The Karori Primary Health Organisation (KPHO) is an interim funded PHO which has as its population, the registered and enrolled patients of the Karori Medical Centre (KMC).

The KPHO was set up as an independent PHO by the management of the KMC in July 2004. The decision to set up a PHO primarily serving (but not limited to) Karori and the Western Suburbs was made because:

The philosophy underpinning PHO development very closely resembles that of the KMC, particularly in relation to a proactive team approach to the care of patients. As an example the KMC already has practice nursing clinics running independently of the KMC doctors.

The KMC already has encouraged a number of specialty services including counselling, smoking cessation and weight clinics that fit well with the concept of a PHO. In addition a number of related health professionals already work with or adjacent to the KMC; these include, physiotherapy, podiatry, dentistry, osteopathy and midwifery.
The KMC already has quality assurance activities in place and has a pharmacist facilitator who regularly reviews prescribing and laboratory service usage.
The KMC has a history of actively screening women for cervical cancer and has published papers on this activity. Other screening services are also carried out on a regular basis.
The KMC already has a well managed patient register and has both the technology and the expertise to manage the PHO reporting requirements.
With the establishment of a PHO for Karori and the Western Suburbs there will be more flexibility in providing services to its patients than if its providers were part of a single Wellington wide PHO. Further there will be greater scope for innovative projects designed by, and for the local population.

The general objective of the KPHO is to improve the health status of patients who visit the Karori Medical Centre and other associated healthcare services through the provision of comprehensive, quality primary health care.

Current Situation

KPHO is a not-for-profit Charitable Trust set up for the purposes relating to the provision and enhancement of primary health care to its registered patient population within the City of Wellington. In the initial period an interim board has been established which comprises the following Trustees:

Dr Jeff Lowe, KMC partner
Dr Peter Moodie, KMC partner
Ms Robyn Taylor, KMC nurse
Mrs Prudence Griffin, Community
Mr Charles Stewart, Community
Mr Apii Rongo-Raea, Community, Pacific Peoples Representation
Ms Marama Parore Katene, Community, Maori Representation
Ms Margaret de Joux, Community nomination
Ms Teresa Wyndham Smith, Community nomination

Whilst the providers to the KPHO have themselves been working in a team based model of care for some time the challenges within the PHO environment will be to further engage with other health providers in a collaborative manner and to target health services to those with need, including both Maori & Pacific Groups and those of low income. This more proactive approach to Healthcare we believe will produce some real benefits to our patients and all involved with the KPHO are excited to be working in this model.

For more information please contact:

Dr Jeff Lowe, Chairperson
Email: lowe@kmc.co.nz
Phone (04) 920 4562