Thirty healthcare agencies are offering free health checks in Upper Hutt on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
An Upper Hutt medical centre is holding a day of free health checkups in an effort to make healthcare more accessible to the Hutt Valley community.
Gain Health Centre has partnered together with 29 healthcare agencies for its 'Wellness Day' on Saturday at Ōrongomai Marae.
A GP would be at the event for consultations and general check-ups. Other providers will be available for specialist care, including cervical screenings, blood and glucose tests, and diabetes, heart and gout education.
Scheduled and flu vaccines would also be free for all age groups.
"There are thousands of patients without a GP in Hutt Valley and many of the practices' books are closed due to low resources," Gain Health Centre practice manager Anna Guest said.
She said with after-hours health services and hospitals overloaded, the challenges in primary care were the worst they had been in 20 years.
"There is a large barrier with access to healthcare in our community which means many people are not getting health screenings and access to services, like vaccinations, when they need them," Guest said.
"These are essential for early detection, diagnosis and prevention."
Gain Health Centre is part of the Doctors Medical Centres network and Green Cross Health.
The Wellness Day started three years ago when Guest, alongside Gain Health Centre's nurse lead, Hannah Bradley, were inspired to start the initiative while at a Green Cross Health conference.
Guest estimated that hundreds of people showed up to last year's Wellness Day, and she encouraged more people to come along to this year's event.
"Just come along for the day and talk to any of the agencies," Guest said.
Guest said while times could be tough for some, all agencies wanted to support and improve the health of the community.
"We are extremely grateful for the support Ōrongomai Marae has given us and the hard work everyone has done to bring this event together."
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