Elaine Tyrrell, National Advisor to the Board

 Elaine has been involved with parish nursing since 1998 when she set up a ministry at Nelson Cathedral, so becoming the first Anglican Parish Nurse in New Zealand. 

She completed her basic FCN training in Adelaide with the Australian Faith Community Nurses Association (AFCNA) in 2000 and friendships were formed with Dr Anne van Loon (Director of Development of AFCNA) and Dr Merilyn Annells (then Chairperson of AFCNA) who subsequently supported the establishment of faith community nursing in New Zealand. Enquiries came from throughout New Zealand and from international visitors to Nelson such that there was a need to develop networking and training within the country.  Dr Anne van Loon has led several training courses within New Zealand – her first visit being to Christchurch in 2001 when NZAFCN was inaugurated and Elaine was invited on the Board.  NZFCNA in its present form was born in 2003 when Elaine became chairman. 

In 2004, the General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia recognised faith community nursing as a valid, important ministry within the church and supports its parishes in developing this outreach.  Elaine is the Parish Nurse Advisor within the Nelson Diocese.

Elaine’s husband, the Dean of Nelson Cathedral, has not only supported this ministry but included it in his Masters dissertation.  In 2006, he received the QSO in the Queen’s birthday honours list in recognition of his service to the community including the development of parish nursing within New Zealand.

Elaine also works as a rehabilitation nurse in Nelson Hospital and is a Board Member of the InterChurch Hospital Chaplaincy support committee.  She is currently completing a Masters thesis on the role of nursing in the rehabilitation of older people, being funded by a Health Research Council grant.

 
Diane Webster – National Coordinator:

Diane was first introduced to Parish Nursing or Faith Community Nursing at the end of her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2001, when the first augural conference was held in Christchurch 2001.

It was an exciting concept to her as it entwined her faith and nursing passion together. From working with Nurse Maude as a District Nurse, the concept didn’t leave her and she could see the potential of this scope of practice out in the community especially within the Church.

The second Parish Nursing conference was held in Nelson 2003 which Diane attended and confirmed the call to offer her services to the newly formed Association. Diane continued to work in the role as Secretary/Treasurer and Board Member and then accepted the invitation to work as the National Coordinator which includes guiding the Board and visiting FCN’s throughout the country.  She has seen the Association through to its incorporated status, organised annual conferences in different venues and helped establish the NZFCNA website. Diane works voluntary in this role and holds her practising certificate within this scope of practice.  Nursing Council of New Zealand have recognised her nursing management role.

Ane Masima - Parish Nurse and Practice Nurse - Tongan Health Society:

My name is Ane Masima employed by the Tongan Health Society as a .7 Parish Nurse and .3 Practice Nurse. I work for a Tongan church known as the Tongan Wesleyan church named as Mo’unga ki he Loto. There are 28 families and a total of 158 parishioners.

I meet their needs by :-

• Home visit, identify and assist their needs.
• Take a mobile health clinic to the church once a week.(Mobile Van)
• Run an exercise group in the church hall once a week.
• Provide health education eg:- Quit smoking, Immunizations, Diabetes, etc.
• Demonstrate a healthy way of cooking our own Tongan food at the church camp.
• Referral to other Agencies and resources.
• Liaise with other Services.
• Partnership with the Steward’s wife in running a women prayer group.

I love to see the families of the Parishioners realise their own health needs and work hard to recover and live a better life.

Alison Wilden:

Alison caught the vision of faith community nursing after attending a NZFCNA conference in Christchurch.  She had read an article about the ministry in the Kai Tiaki nursing journal and longed to combine her passion for nursing with her Christian commitment to her local church in the Gore community.  She was familiar with accessing funding from the PHO and together with her minister’s wife and fellow nurse Carol, they saw the possibilities of opening a foot clinic within the church.  In 2007, their dream became a reality when they received a grant of $5,000.  The local podiatrists have supported and trained them.  The latest venture is a weekly “Super Clinic”.  The nail clinic has over 50 on the role and their first customer arrived well before opening as he was so thrilled with the opportunity.  Fellowship, fun, Christian love and excellent foot care make a winning combination and the community can see the practical outworking of these Christian nurses.