News and notices Pānui
Sexual Health Clinic on the move
06 July 2023
With the opening of Te Pa Harakeke, a purpose-built outpatient facility, Tauranga Hospital’s Sexual Health Clinic, has moved to brand new premises at 1378 Cameron Road, Greerton.
Due to increased demand and population growth, the clinic (also known as Clinic 2) has outgrown its premises at the Lois Pearl Cottage on the corner of 17th Avenue and Cameron Road where it was located for ten years.
“This move and our increased capacity comes at a very critical time when the numbers of sexually transmitted infections in Aotearoa, and internationally, are growing exponentially,” explains Specialist Sexual Health Physician and Clinical Lead of the Service Massimo Giola (pictured).
“Currently there is an increase in the number of people presenting with syphilis or gonorrhoea infections in our region and across the motu. The Sexual Health Service has no barriers to accessing sexual health care and can therefore provide services to populations who may struggle to access appropriate and competent sexual health care.”
Clinical Nurse Coordinator for the Sexual Health Service Ross Mackay echoes Massimo’s sentiment. “We’re so excited about the new purpose-built premises and the next chapter and being able to offer more services to the community.”
The Sexual Health Service is a publicly funded service for all matters related to sexual health in the Bay of Plenty. Staff manage sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception, cervical cancer screening, genital skin problems, and much more. Along with the clinic at Te Pa Harakeke, there is a clinic in Te Puke and one at Whakatāne Hospital in the Outpatients Department. There will be additional clinic spaces commissioned at Te Pa Harakeke in the next year which will increase the potential for more ambulatory services to be moved to the site in Greerton.
The name Te Pa Harakeke was gifted to the clinic by Te Pare ō Toi. The harakeke (flax) plant represents the whānau (family) in Māori thought. The rito (shoot) is the child. It is protectively surrounded by the awhi rito (parents). The outside leaves represent the tūpuna (grandparents and ancestors).
For some of the services the public can self-refer (no GP referral needed) and no charge applies. A phone call to the clinic free number 0800 267 256 and a chat with their friendly receptionist is the first step to get seen.
For more information, please visit Bay of Plenty Sexual Health Services.