PHARMAC
Finalist: Best Plain English Website — Public sector
www.spacetobreathe.co.nz
Space to Breathe is a population health programme being trialled by PHARMAC, the New Zealand government’s medicines funding agency. Targeted primarily at Māori and Pacific peoples, the programme provides resources and one-on-one assessment and education for those caring for children with asthma.
The Space to Breathe website operates as a portal for asthma patients, their caregivers and health professionals to learn about asthma and how to manage it. There are also resources available for order and links to other relevant agencies and societies that can help. Resources are available in English, Māori and other Pacific Island languages.
It is important that information is clear and easy to understand as asthma patients and their whānau are key to managing their asthma. Most people will not have a clinical background that enables them to understand the medical terminology and issues involved with asthma and its management. A big part of successful asthma management is making sure that patients and their whānau can understand this clinical information in a way that makes sense to them. The Space to Breathe website is designed with this in mind.
Bryce Wigodsky
Policy analyst
www.pharmac.govt.nz