In November, seven existing Plunket clinics in the wider city will relocate to a recently purchased property at 97 King Edward Street, South Dunedin. Services will continue to be delivered from Anderson Bay, Mosgiel and Port Chalmers.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive Fiona Kingsford says the organisation had been on the lookout for an easily accessible suitable building in the city with enough space to provide a one-stop hub for whānau for some time.
“It’s no secret that Ōtepoti Dunedin is a very special place for all of us at Whānau Āwhina Plunket as our organisation originated in nearby Karitāne.
“For generations Plunket nurses and the wider team have walked alongside Dunedin whānau providing support in the crucial early years so tamariki get the best start in life. We are committed to continuing on this path,” says Mrs Kingsford.
71% of babies born in the Dunedin City region are currently enrolled with Whānau Āwhina Plunket – that’s 700 new babies every year. The wider Dunedin team has 4,415 tamariki under five on its books, supporting them and their whānau to get the best start in life through Well Child Tamariki Ora appointments, additional services and community support.
Dunedin Plunket Nurse Candice Adam (pictured above) says the new hub will see the the majority of Plunket’s services in the area under one roof, including Plunket nurses, kaiāwhina and community Karitāne health workers, and community services such as playgroups, antenatal classes, injury prevention and volunteer home visiting services.
“We can’t wait to welcome whānau through the doors from November. Some of the older clinics are no longer fit for purpose and we are really looking forward to the move. The new hub will feature four spacious clinic rooms, areas for community groups and most importantly, 26 on-site car parks."
Mrs Adam says the new site is flat, easily accessible and is on all major bus routes travelling both from North Dunedin and South to Mosgiel.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to bring our Plunket team together in a beautiful and modern space,” she says. “There’s also space and opportunity for like-minded community services to work out of the same space and we would love to hear from anyone who thinks the location would make it easy for whānau to access multiple services at the same visit.”
Whānau Āwhina Plunket will be selling three properties over the coming months as part of its move to the new community hub. They are located at:
- 189 Main South Road, Green Island
- 168 Shetland Street, Wakari, Dunedin
- 267 Macandrew Road, Forbury, Dunedin
The organisation is keen to hear from anyone who has an interest in the properties or who wants to provide feedback. Please contact Whānau Āwhina Plunket at SustainableProperty@plunket.org.nz or post to PO Box 5474, Wellington 6140 (Attention: Property) by 30 September 2024.
If anyone is interested in supporting the renovation of the new community hub please contact Philanthrophy Manager Loren O’Sullivan loren.osullivan@plunket.org.nz or you can make a donation online.