An outreach clinic has opened in Katikati, providing women with Family Planning services, running out of the Katikati Midwives clinic.

The clinic has been open since the start of October and opened up to help reduce barriers for people to access clinical services, says clinical services manager Rochelle Keane.

'Transport can often be an issue for people who live more rurally so this clinic has made our services more accessible to the people of Katikati and surrounding communities.

'An outreach clinic also allows us to partner with another organisation to provide our services and keep costs down. In Katikati, we are partnering with Katikati Midwives and using their facilities. It means we're in a great location, and in a building that already is set up to provide clinical services.

'We're getting support too from the local SuperGrans who are helping us welcome clients to the clinic.”

At the outreach clinic, they are able to offer a full suite of services which include contraception including implants, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and referral, cervical screening, and advice for PMS.

'We have had positive support from the local community with good numbers attending the clinic. We have a mix of booked and drop-in appointments which is working well for the Katikati community.”

Rochelle says they spent a lot of time talking with the wider Bay of Plenty community about where there was a need for their services before they decided on Katikati.

'The feedback we received told us there was a demand for our services locally so that people didn't need to travel – or travel as often or as far.

'Opening a new clinic is expensive – as a not-for-profit, we have to be very careful with our budget. At this time, we think the outreach is the best option for the Katikati community and for Family Planning as an organisation.”

The outreach clinic is open every second Friday from 10am to 4pm out of the Katikati Midwives Clinic.

Appointments are available between 10am to 1pm, and the drop-in clinic is available from 1pm to 4pm. To make an appointment, call Family Planning's contact centre on 0800 372 546. The outreach clinic is located at 14 Jocelyn Street.