Praise for Doctors, Pharmacies and Govt Co-ordination

Praise for Doctors, Pharmacies and Govt Co-ordination

Free doctors visits for Christchurch residents and no charge on prescriptions has been praised by a Christchurch mother of two.

Alison Allsop’s 12 year old daughter and 8 year old son became unwell last Thursday with coughs and chest pain but she managed to get in almost immediately to a local medical centre (not her own as it has been damaged) and the visits were free, as were the prescription medicines required. An additional visit to a doctor in Ashburton at the weekend when she herself became unwell and her son worsened, was also free.

“The visits would have cost several hundred dollars as we are not enrolled at those surgeries, and the medicines would have also cost more. As our 8 year old has developed bronchitis and some breathing problems made worse by the dust in Christchurch, it was important we get on top of it quickly,” she says.

Alison Allsop says the Government’s commitment to covering these costs for the next few days (March 8th she believes) as well as communicating this and making it work effectively, is to be applauded.

“Additional worries about money for many following the earthquake on top of dealing with sick children can be very stressful so this initiative is fantastic,” she says.

Joe Tiller of the Community Pharmacy on Linwood Avenue agrees and says he and his wife, pharmacist Ann Tiller, have found it incredibly rewarding seeing the relief on patients faces when they hear “that’s no charge today”. He adds “Pharmacies and medical practices alike have been working hard to maintain patient access which is amazing given the challenges faced by some of no power and water.”

ENDS

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