As well as supporting the delivery of primary health care services, Pegasus has a role in ensuring health needs are met across the communities, cultural groups, age groups and geographical areas that we serve.
Canterbury is an increasingly diverse community and different ethnic groups have different health needs. Within Pegasus, we have Māori, Pacific, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) health managers who work with these communities and with our services to make sure services are responsive to their unique health needs. One way that we do this is through educating health professionals in developing ways that they can best work with different communities. We also work closely with other providers who offer services for specific population groups.
Pegasus Health is committed to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, namely:
- Partnership: working together with iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities to develop strategies for Māori health gain and appropriate health and disability services;
- Participation: involving Māori at all levels of the sector, in decision making, planning, development and delivery of health and disability services; and
- Protection: working to ensure Māori have at least the same level of health as non-Māori, and safeguarding Māori cultural concepts, values and practices.
Read more about Māori Health, Pasifika Health and CALD Health below.
Pegasus Health also has a focus on groups that have poorer health status or are vulnerable for any reason, eg, low income, physical or mental health issues. One of the big problems that people can encounter is navigating what can be a very complex health system. Roles such as Partnership Community Workers help people link up with general practice services and social services.
Child and Youth Health is another focus area for Pegasus Health. Key action areas include oral health, mental health, access to primary health care services, childhood obesity and a healthy start.
