Hospital Continues To Provide After Hours Care

Wednesday, 23 December 2009, 1:14 pm
Press Release: Waikato District Health Board

Hospital Continues To Provide After Hours Care

Taumarunui Hospital will continue to provide all after hours' health services until further notice due to a break down in discussion with Taumarunui GPs.

Taumarunui Hospital has been providing after hours health care in the town since earlier this year, while the primary health organisations negotiated with Waikato District Health Board.

"We would like people to be mindful that attending the Emergency Department for a non-urgent presentation is likely to result in them waiting to be seen," said Waikato District Health Board change manager Grant O'Brien.

"In the interest of saving time, people should get to their GP during the day and not wait until evening to seek help."

He said the telephone nurse triage service, accessed by people calling their GP's phone number, was a very good option for people with health concerns, particularly after 5pm.

"We do not want people showing up to the ED unless it's an emergency," said Mr O'Brien.

"People need to either see their GP during the day or after hours phone their practice and speak to the on-call telephone triage service. This will ensure that their request is handled in the most efficient way."

ENDS

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