Feedback from the community is being invited in finding a new home for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's central Auckland HIV testing and counselling facility, the Burnett Centre, which is to be relocated in order to expand. NZAF National Positive Health Manager Eamonn Smythe says the relocation has become necessary due to a number of factors, including the increased demand on Burnett's services. “Increased usage of Burnett services has led to waiting lists for both counselling and testing. We are increasing staff numbers to accommodate this, but with the increasing number of HIV positive people now living in Auckland, the current space we have is inadequate for keeping up with the demand.” Extensive construction work in the Poynton Terrace area lasting upwards of 24 months is also due to begin shortly. “This is outside of our control, and will result in reduced access, and increased noise that is not conducive to a therapy or counselling environment,” Smythe says. One of the available options for relocation is a space which has become available (with separate entrance) within the NZAF National Office building in Hargreaves St, off College Hill in Ponsonby, but Smythe says there are likely to be other options worth considering. A questionnaire is now being circulated to gather feedback on the selection process for the new Burnett Centre location and what should happen to the existing premises in Poynton Terrace. The questionnaire is available from NZAF's website (linked below) and from the Burnett Centre itself. The consultation period begins Friday August 24 and runs until Monday September 17. Ref: NZAF (Press Release)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 23rd August 2007 - 5:43pm