Counties Manukau Health is urging patients to see their local GP or visit the nearest Accident and Emergency clinic to enable the hospital’s emergency department to deal with urgent cases that threaten life or limb.
“We’re in the the lead up to Christmas and the hospital, especially our emergency department, has been very busy and we want to ensure we provide the best care for all our patients while enabling the emergency department to deal with life threatening emergencies,” says Emergency Department Director, Dr Vanessa Thornton.
“There are ways that people can get timely access to the right care for them in the lead up to Christmas, without having to come into hospital. Often a GP or family doctor can provide medical advice, prescriptions and help to manage long-term conditions.
“If you don’t have a family doctor you can find one on Healthpoint - an online directory for GPs and medical centres in the Counties Manukau area.”
Dr Thornton says Accident and Medical clinics can also provide support to deal with patients who feel unwell outside of normal work hours, over the weekend or public holidays and will likely be closer to a patient’s home, than the hospital.
“Accident and Medical centres can also provide free or low cost care for children under 13 years old, adults over 65 and people with low incomes, with a community service card or high user health care.”
“With Christmas fast approaching, we want the community to understand that there are several local avenues for them if they are not feeling well and they understand you don’t have to go a hospital to get the appropriate care.”
Healthline is also available 24 hours a day for health advice from a nurse and an interpreter is available non English speakers. You can call them on 0800 611 116.
Issued by: Counties Manukau Health Communications
Media Line: 09 250 9857 Email: Communications@middlemore.co.nz