Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs)

A Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) is a qualified and experienced mental health professional who has completed specialist training in the Te Tumu Waiora primary mental health model.

The HIP is part of the general practice team and sees people of all ages and at all stages of their lives and with any type of issue related to behaviour change or mental wellbeing.

The HIP’s day is scheduled so they can often see people immediately when they are in the practice and some form of support.

Consultations are typically offered the same day, are short – less than 30 minutes and are focused on evidence-based brief interventions.

The HIP will help the patient to agree goals and put the necessary support, follow-up and review in place to help him or her achieve those goals.

Feedback is provided to relevant members of the general practice team and all information is integrated into the patient record.

The HIP also educates other team members and helps to develop pathways and protocols around mental wellbeing and addiction support.