The Franklin locality (not to be confused with the Franklin Ward of the Auckland Council) is the largest of the four Counties Manukau Localities in terms of geographical area. It extends from the Hunua Ranges in the North to Waikeratu in the South, and from the Sunset coast to the Seabird coast, from Port Waikato to Kaiaua. Though predominantly rural, Franklin includes the towns of Pukekohe, Tuakau, Waiuku, and Pokeno.
At the 2013 census, the Franklin population totalled around 70,000 people, representing some 14% of the Counties Manukau population (around 500,000 in 2013). The majority of the population were classified as NZ European, with almost 17% being Maaori, 4% Pacific Islanders, and 6% being Asian (including Indian). Franklin had a higher proportion of “older” people than Counties Manukau with almost 14% being aged 65 years and over. The population aged 65 and over is forecast to more than double over the next 20 years.
In the Franklin locality there are:
The Auckland plan has identified Pukekohe as a priority satellite town for major population and employment growth. With the developments planned across a number of “Special Housing Areas” the population of Pukekohe and surrounds is expected to double in size over the next 30 years.
The role of the Locality is to understand the health and social care needs of it’s resident population, and to use that understanding to shape and influence the planning and delivery of services provided by all of those listed above to ensure “better, sooner, and more convenient” health care.
This role is discharged through a Locality structure, led by a General Manager (jointly accountable to CM Health and the Lead Primary Health Organisation (PHO) which is Procare) and which consists of three key groups.
The LLG is a collaboration convened to broadly represent the multidisciplinary clinical and managerial professional responsibilities that exist in the provision of healthcare services. It is responsible for maintaining the partnership and determining the direction and pace of Locality developments, within the parameters of National and Local health policy.
Members of the LLG
The role of the CAN is to provide guidance to the LLG and Locality services on what is clinically feasible, desirable, and safe, in line with up-to-date research and practice.
Clinical Advisory Network Membership
Very early in the life of the Locality it was recognised that there could be no single “community” voice and that Franklin was comprised of a wide range of “communities” each with a unique perspective. Through a process of community workshops a number of “Communities of Interest” (COI) were identified and each has a representative on the Franklin Health Forum.
Franklin Health Forum Membership:
The Rapid Response service aims to prevent avoidable presentations to the Emergency Department or admissions to Middlemore hospital by providing a speedy (within 24 hours) “wrap around” service to support the residents of Franklin to remain safely at home.
The Service is currently available Monday to Friday 8:30 – 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00 to 3:00pm and is (currently) staffed by experienced District nurses. They offer both telephone and home visit support. Following this brief intervention the patient is connected back with their general practice for on-going management and care within 48 hours.
The Rapid Response Service has been well utilised so far by General Practices within Franklin, St John’s Ambulance Service and the Emergency Department Nurses at Middlemore Hospital.
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