Retirement not an end to caring

---

Almost 30 years and mile upon mile of Kaipara roads carrying her bag containing all sorts of medicinal needs and performing all sorts of medical tricks has now come to an end for district nurse Jan Barnett.

“I came to Mangawhai when it was little more than a village and, after having three children of my own, started back into the workforce as a very part time nurse in Mangawhai working for the Area Health Board,” relates Jan.

“This slowly progressed to covering the lower north area, Kaiwaka, Topuni, Maungaturoto and out to Whakapirau predominantly treating early hospital discharge patients in their own homes, management of chronic wounds and palliative care.”

In early times Jan was the mainstay as the doctor visited Mangawhai once a week from Wellsford in the small building beside the old museum until demand called for the establishment of the current set-up at the Heads.

There was no hospice service at the time and it was often distressing to treat and comfort dying patients with very little pain control.

“I think hospice now provides an amazing service with personal care provided by agencies so people can be treated in their own homes,” she says.

Occupational therapists, physio’s, mental health services and many specialist hospital services are now provided where once such things were part and parcel of a district nurses repertoire to the best of her ability.

Jan says Maungaturoto was also a pleasure to work in presenting a more diverse mix of people from Mangawhai and she extends her thanks “to the community having supported me over this time, plus all the doctors and lovely practice nurses and colleagues.”

Outside of work Jan has become active in the local Zonta Club for the past five years and is currently president. The group is currently researching the feasibility of support for the setting up of family services, a gap in Mangawhai which Jan believes needs to be filled.

Though her career as district nurse may be over, the caring continues.

NEW CHAPTER: Though recently retired, Jan Barnett is still very active in community services.

By Rob Pooley