History

The concept of the Institute began when Sheree East (Director of Nursing – Nurse Maude) developed the dream of a centre of excellence in nursing research during an NZIM course and presented this idea to the Nurse Maude Board. At the time, Sheree was constantly urging for nursing to be evidence-based and saw research with the establishment of an Institute, as the way to make this happen.

The Nurse Maude Board then approached Dr Chris Hendry to produce a feasibility report on the establishment of a Research Institute. Once this was a viable option, a Working Party, made up of the current Board members, was formed in late 2007. By the beginning of 2008, the New Zealand Institute of Community Health Care was established with Chris Hendry appointed as Director.  Chris spent 2008 initially building relationships with Nurse Maude staff, which then expanded to external organisations, as well as setting up systems for research processes.

The establishment of the Institute was completed by the employment of an Administrator in late 2008 and a Research Nurse at the beginning of 2009. With the full compliment of staff, the Institute has forged many more relationships and has set up the research process and manual for Nurse Maude. It has facilitated research for Nurse Maude and a variety of other organisations, as well as providing consultancy services.

The official launch of the Institute was held in June 2009.