Social work — Tairawhiti

Social workers at Gisborne Hospital in Tairāwhiti respond to emotional, psychological, social and practical needs.


Contact us

To contact social work services:


Where to find us

Our social workers are based throughout the community as well as at:

Gisborne Hospital
421 Ormond Road


Services we provide

Our social workers:

  • advocate for people to make sure their rights, responsibilities and entitlements are respected
  • help patients and their whānau, family or carers to adjust to changes resulting from a health condition or disability
  • connect people with community services and assistance.

They can help you and your whānau with:

  • grief and loss
  • the effects of hospitalisation
  • adjusting to a newly-diagnosed condition or disability
  • traumatic births
  • pregnancy options
  • trauma (accidents, amputations, acute illness)
  • stress and mild anxiety
  • family and carer issues, including vulnerable children and adults
  • frequent admissions due to lack of social support
  • isolation as a result of health issues.

Referral information

You can access a health social worker through your healthcare provider, such as a:

  • GP or family doctor
  • district nurse
  • public health nurse.

If you are in hospital, you can access a health social worker through:

  • nursing or medical staff members
  • other hospital staff, such as a kaitiaki or physiotherapist.