After hour health care for children a priority for Lakes DHB

After hours health care for children a priority for Lakes DHB

Lakes District Health Board is committed to ensuring free after hours healthcare is available in Rotorua for children aged 6 to 12, so will provide the available government funding to the Rotorua Hospital Emergency Department to provide an interim service.

Rotorua’s after hours health care provider, Lakes PrimeCare, earlier this month advertised in the media that the business would not provide free after hours health care for children aged six to 12 because it claimed the government is not able to provide sufficient funding to cover the costs of the service.

Lakes DHB Chief Executive Ron Dunham says he is very disappointed that the usual provider of after hours medical care in Rotorua was not able to provide the service within the available additional funding. He said protracted discussions with the primary care after hours provider in Rotorua were unsuccessful in getting the service or any short–term alternatives agreed with Lakes PrimeCare, with Lakes PrimeCare choosing not to take up the Zero Fees for Under 13 years funding offered.

‘Our DHB knows how important it is for parents and families to be able to quickly seek medical attention for sick children, without having to worry about the cost. Lakes PrimeCare has declared it will not provide free after hours care for six to 12-year-olds, claiming that the government subsidy does not cover the cost of service delivery. Our DHB and Board members do not share that view, but are going to focus on the patients and are now looking to fund the service from our Emergency Department, starting this week,” said Ron Dunham.

“It may be that we seriously look at whether we need a different model for providing primary health services to families who want to do the right thing and seek timely medical help for their sick children. We know that many of our families have a hard time making ends meet, and the last thing we want is for the cost of health care for children to be a barrier,” said Ron Dunham.

All Rotorua and Taupo general practices provide free medical care for children aged 0 to 12 during working hours. Families are encouraged to seek early medical attention for their sick children, during day time hours and at their usual GP practice.

Because children often deteriorate after hours, Rotorua families are able to take their children to the Rotorua Hospital Emergency Department for treatment, as has always been available. However, families are urged not to wait until their child is very sick and require hospitalisation before seeking medical attention.

In Taupo and Turangi, the GPs and Midlands Health Network have agreed to provide the service free including after hours for children aged six to 12. This means free health care is available in Taupo for all children aged 0 to 12 both during the day and after hours, through a roster of Taupo GPs accessed by patients through their own general practice.

The maximum number of children under 14 years visiting the Rotorua Hospital Emergency Department on any day in January 2014 was 23. The biggest number of people seeking treatment at the Rotorua Hospital Emergency Department is the group aged 15 to 44 years.

The interim service will be available for the same after hours periods provided by Lakes PrimeCare - 6.00pm – 10.00pm weekdays and from 8am to 10pm at weekends and public holidays. Any emergencies after 10.00pm and before 9.00am should go to the ED.

The Healthline 0800 611 116 and PlunketLine 0800 933 922 services offer a triage phone service after hours to people at no cost.

ENDS

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