This project strengthened the relationship between patient, nurse, GP and the practice, as we gained a more holistic view of these 12 individuals and collaborated over the results. Some had their medications adjusted as a result of the programme.
The project received funding from the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation's small clinical projects fund. I believe it was innovative and honoured the Treaty of Waitangi by working in partnership with patients, their families and the wider community.
It promoted participation and protected the rights of individuals and their whanau to access services that offered education, tools and resources to help them reach holistic health outcomes. Although the pilot programme ended months ago, most of the participants are still working hard to maintain healthier eating and lifestyles. All are living their lives more mindfully.
Running this pitot proved to me that practice nurses can be an important tool for change as we work in partnership with our patients and motivate them to reduce their CVD risk and improve chronic health conditions.
What makes Good Food Good Health unique is the individual follow up, psychological screening, blood work and pre- and post course measurements. I would love to see the programme continue in other general practices, as I believe it is simple, cost-effective and realistic to achieve good changes to health.