Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and Health Coaches (HCs) are an integral part of the clinical team at many of our medical centres. These team members work alongside your doctor and nurses and their services are free for enrolled patients. They help your general practice team deliver various mental well-being supports and tools.
Support is available without long waits, often on the same day.
HIPs and HCs will tailor their care for you, but this may include:
- Improving your mood or mental health
- Changing habits to reduce the harm of drinking or drug use
- Learning tools to help you sleep better and address other physical health issues that are impacting your mental well-being
- Talk about things that are bothering you – relationships, grief, loneliness, or family violence
- Making lifestyle changes to manage long-term health conditions, disabilities, or chronic pain
- Increase connection to the positive supports in your life, helping you to feel less alone
- Get connected to services in the community
Services
Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and Health Coaches (HCs) support is available free of charge to anyone, of any age, enrolled at a participating general practice. There are no referral criteria, and you can get help with any issue that is negatively impacting your health and wellbeing.
Sessions are brief (15-30 minutes) and focus on what is important to you, today. At your first session, you will get some strategies and a plan to start making some positive changes. Like seeing a GP, there are no limits to how often you can see the HIP or HC. They will work with you to make progress toward your goals - this may only take one session, but you can always come back and see them again if new issues come up. HIPs and HCs are situated in the clinic and work closely with the GP team. This integrated approach enhances overall well-being and improves health outcomes in our communities.
Health Improvement Practitioners (HIP):
HIPs are qualified and registered professionals who work with people of all ages and their whānau. They help people with any issues impacting on their health and wellbeing.
They are registered under a professional body – for example, Psychologists, Counsellors, or Social Workers – with expectations and accountability for the specific scope of their work.
Health Coaches (HC):
Health Coaches are usually not registered, but they are trained in Health Coaching and work as part of your general practice team. They help you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to better manage your health. This can include helping you set your health goals and supporting you as you work towards them.
Health Coaches may also help you and your whānau find resources in your community/online to support your social, emotional, and physical well-being. They will support you over time to make progress towards your goals.
Booking an appointment
Contact your GP clinic or talk to your GP to find out the best way to meet with a HIP or HC. The best way to ensure quality healthcare is to be enrolled in a medical practice. That way they have access to your medical history and can provide advice and support when you need it.
Bookings can also be made using the patient portal. Most of our medical centres use The Doctors App, but check your medical centres page if you are unsure.
Enrol with us today