Health NZ
Counties Manukau

The Counties Manukau Audiology team led by Dr Renee Hislop (Clinical Leader) and Dr Michelle Pokorny (Advanced Audiologist) and also including Nitasha Chand-Prasad, Amber McClelland and Lisa Burr has implemented an innovative and novel Advanced Audiology Practitioner (AAP) service which has improved access to services for Māori and Pacific children requiring ear treatment in Counties Manukau. By bridging the gap between primary care and ENT services, AAPs improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce unnecessary referrals, and provide earlier intervention for common childhood ear complaints such as otitis media. This innovative service has reduced ENT wait times, cost-effective care, and better health outcomes for children and families. Combining advanced clinical skills with a whānau-centred approach, the AAP service exemplifies equity, innovation, and sustainability in healthcare delivery. The success of the model has garnered national interest with the concept included in the Planned Care Taskforce Reset and Restore Plan (2022) and the establishment of a national advisory group to define advanced audiology pathways for otitis media.

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The Advanced Audiology Practitioner (AAP) service has a One Stop Shop model which has reduced unnecessary ENT referrals, shortened waitlists, and ensured earlier diagnosis and treatment for common childhood conditions such as otitis media. For patients and whānau, this has meant fewer hospital visits, quicker reassurance, and more equitable access to care, particularly for Māori and Pacific families who face multiple barriers to specialist services.

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The Advanced Audiology Practitioner (AAP) service has been designed with equity at its heart. Recognising that Māori and Pacific children experience higher rates of ear disease yet face greater barriers to specialist services, the AAP model delivers care as a streamlined One Stop Shop with successful outreach to communities that have shown more barriers to attendance for Māori and Pacific whanau, for example establishing a satellite clinic in Pukekohe.

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Beyond clinical expertise, the AAP team demonstrate deep respect for the spiritual, emotional, and cultural needs of patients and whānau. Care is provided in partnership with families, using clear, compassionate communication and recognising whānau as central to decision-making. At community hauora days, for example, the AAP has engaged directly with families in culturally safe spaces, listening to their concerns and tailoring information in ways that resonate with their values and lived experiences.

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