Hurrah for Inez – she is researching whether non-Maori medics can cure Maori patients

In Britain she could treat patients of many cultural persuasions.

A breath of fresh air has wafted south from Hastings.

It was created by a lass named Inez Awatere-Walker who is working in the Hastings Community Mental Health Team providing assessment and treatment for adults with moderate to severe mental health problems. She is also the Professional Advisor of Psychology for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.

According to the CV on the health board website, she is available to help service users, whanau, health workers and the wider public with information about Psychology Services at HBDHB, and:

“I am completing a doctorate investigating therapeutic relationships and recovery in mental health.”

This involves examining the long-established view that Maori patients are best treated by Maori clinicians.