At the front line of health care

Becoming a nurse has been a life changing decision for Uputaua Suniula, as she battles not only to help patients, but also to prevent health problems from developing in the first place.

One of the problems we face is that teenagers and children dont come in to see a doctor till theyre really sick, Uputaua says.

What couldve been addressed in the clinic instead becomes complex, at which point they become an inpatient in the hospital.

Uputaua has worked on the front line of healthcare at both Waitangirua and Poriruas Community Health Service, two of the most challenging areas within Capital & Coasts District Health Board region.

She says that she has found the experience empowering.

The positive impact I can make within the community has been mind blowing, especially working as the first point of contact for people in need, Uputaua says.

My focus is to work with Poriruas young population to help develop prevention strategies that can stop acute presentations of preventable things like asthma and skin infections, reduce the strain on hospital services, as well as lower our overall healthcare costs.

One campaign Uputaua works closely on is the rheumatic fever prevention program in Porirua.

As Uputaua explains, a sore throat is an early indicator of the disease, which can cause a lifetime of heart issues, its all about treating the patient early, before they develop a serious problem.

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At the front line of health care