Strengthening Youth Health: Growing Our Impact Beyond the Clinic

Our clinic is always evolving. We’re constantly reviewing and refining our practices to make sure we’re delivering the best care possible for our rangatahi. Whether it’s through student placements, professional development, or sector-wide collaboration, our team is dedicated not only to showing up – but to stepping up.

We’ve long welcomed nursing students from Ara, and more recently, Master’s students from the University of Canterbury. These students bring fresh perspectives and energy into our space, while gaining valuable experience in youth-centred healthcare. It’s a mutually rewarding exchange – and one we’re proud to continue supporting.

But our role in strengthening youth health doesn’t stop there.

Recently, our Clinical Nurse Manager, Jo, presented at the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) conference, sharing her insights into nursing within the youth health sector. Her presentation was incredibly well received, sparking conversation and interest – with strong suggestions that she return to speak again in the future. It was a proud moment, and one that reflects the depth of expertise within our team.

Jo has also delivered Medicine Administration Training for staff at Oranga Tamariki’s Care and Protection Supervised Group Homes. The training provides a comprehensive and practical overview of safely administering medication to young people – covering key processes, prescription understanding, documentation, and how to handle challenges like medication refusal or errors. It’s designed to support staff in feeling confident and capable in real-life care settings.

This kind of hands-on, sector-specific training is something we plan to do more of. In fact, training is currently underway for members of our team to become certified First Aid Facilitators – which will enable us to offer first aid training directly to schools, agencies, and other organisations working alongside young people.

As our clinic grows, so does our impact. We believe that sharing knowledge strengthens practice – not just within our walls, but across the wider youth sector. If your organisation is interested in future training opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can build a stronger foundation of care for the next generation.