At the end of May our community nurse Mrs Helen Purcell, of Kawerau, was presented with her MNZM for services to public health nursing. Having been awarded it in the New Years' honours.
Helen Purcell helped set up an STD Clinic in Whakatane and was the infection control nurse for tuberculosis.
She was the hepatitis community nurse with the Hepatitis Foundation. She helped the Foundation drive purpose-built caravans around the North Island to test people and provide follow-up care and support.
As a public health nurse for Volunteer Service Abroad, she established a Hepatitis B testing programme in Vietnam. Through her relationship-building with Māori and Pacific Island communities, she has enabled the Hepatitis Foundation to ensure testing, monitoring and support of high-risk patients.
Mrs Purcell is one of seven Hepatitis Foundation nurses responsible for contacting and supporting people who are considered high-risk.
We wish to celebrate with Helen this achievement and recognition of over 30 years of service to the delivery of health services for Hepatitis B.
