Anamata sets up 'contraception hub'

Chris Marshall Reporter from Taupō Times

Anamata in Taupō has set up a "contraception hub" to provide contraception and sexual health services for the community in response to Covid-19.
In announcing the development, Sue Wilkie, Lakes District Health Board communications officer, said the hub aimed to help take pressure off General Practitioners.
Anamata is a youth one-stop shop service that has been providing specialist sexual health services in Taupō for 30 years.
Its usual model is a drop in service.
“The silver lining of the Covid-19 situation is that the Taupō community has rallied together to find ways we can support each other. We thought this is one way we can take the load off GPs and they were absolutely happy with that," said Anamata chief executive Annabel Prescott.
Anyone in Taupō needing contraceptive and sexual health services can ring a newly set up number - 0800 Anamata (262 62820) - and GPs are also redirecting their patients to the Anamata "contraceptive hub".
Three nurses field the calls, take a history and assess clinical needs via the phone.
The service will also deliver the contraceptives in the Taupō area on a daily basis to save people moving out of their bubble.
If there needs to be a face to face appointment, it happens at the Heuheu Street clinic where bookings are staggered so only one client attends at a time.
People are also asked to sanitise their hands and the nurses wear appropriate PPE.
The rest of Anamata's team of youth workers and nurses and a doctor, are now all working offsite on other projects. The service is in the process of setting up virtual counselling which anyone in need of support can ring.
Prescott said the service saw in excess of 6000 young people a year aged 12 to 25 years. Various groups, including those involved with the rainbow community, were continuing to be run virtually, to ensure young people had continued access to support from their peers and Anamata.
PICTURE: Anamata Nurses, from left, Andrea Muir, Maree Ginger and Sue Van Mierlo.