The Rarotonga Home Healthcare Services (RHHS) and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health (TMO) has signed a Health Cooperation Agreement, promising to elevate homecare services in the Cook Islands.

Officially established on July 4, the partnership aims to combine efforts and resources to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare provided to the Cook Islands community.

The strategic alliance is set to significantly enhance home healthcare, ensuring that residents receive necessary care in the comfort of their own homes.

By leveraging the strengths and expertise of both RHHS and TMO, the agreement is poised to address various healthcare challenges more effectively.

The key components of the agreement include:

• Resource sharing: The collaboration will facilitate the exchange of medical equipment, information, and professional expertise between RHHS and TMO, enabling a more comprehensive healthcare service,
• Efficient service delivery: Emphasising efficiency, the partnership aims to reduce wait times and improve access to essential healthcare services,
• Quality care: Maintaining high standards of care is a priority, ensuring that patients receive top-notch treatment and support, and
•  Community-centred approach: The collaboration will prioritise the unique needs of the Rarotonga community, tailoring services to meet local healthcare demands effectively.

Secretary of Health Bob Williams says the agreement is part of TMO’s strategic plan to engage more with private sectors “not only with our homecare services but including private GPs, so we’re doing the same for them too”.

Williams said they held several meetings with the Rarotonga Home Healthcare Services “because we wanted to fill in the gap and they have been the right fit since they’re out there in the community”.

 “Patients that are in the homes, whether they’re palliated or elderly, we always find a gap in the system so having the partnership with the RHHS is good because they provide that type of services to our elderly and palliated patients in our homes and communities,” he explained.

“Secondly, we want them to have access to their patient notes so they can further support the patients from the homes.”

Katarina Moorfield, director of Rarotonga Home Healthcare Services, expressed optimism about the partnership.

“It means that RHHS can work in collaboration with TMO to share information, resources, and training opportunities to improve the efficiency and quality of the services and care provided,” Moorfield said.

The agreement is also expected to break down existing barriers, making patient management more streamlined and effective.

“The service will be enhanced by reducing barriers such as sharing patient information that is vital for patient management and accessing resources from TMO including medical advice and intervention,” Moorfield added.

Moorfield explained that RHHS approached TMO to discuss some of the challenges they were facing in the community and how they felt this could be improved.

TMO was aware of RHHS’s work in the community to fill gaps in service delivery due to staff shortages.

“It seemed the best approach to work together to ensure the needs of the community were met as much as possible,” Moorfield said.

“This partnership is a significant step forward for healthcare in Rarotonga, promising a brighter, healthier future for the community. By working together, RHHS and TMO are committed to delivering high-quality, efficient healthcare services tailored to the unique needs of their community.”

RHHS operates exclusively in Rarotonga, but there are possibilities for future expansion, according to Moorfield.

“Rarotonga Home Healthcare Services only operates in Rarotonga at this time but in the future we can explore how this may work,” she explained