The Auckland region is currently experiencing high volumes of Emergency Department presentations which are impacting on waiting times.
Clinical Director of Middlemore Hospital’s Emergency Department, Vanessa Thornton, is urging the community to come to the ED only for emergencies, including injuries which threaten life or limb.
“Unless someone is experiencing an emergency we advise them to visit their local GP or Accident and Medical clinic.
“Doing so will enable our busy ED staff to focus our time and resources on patients who have life threatening emergencies.”
Where to go
Dr Thornton said it was important the community understands they don’t have to go to the hospital’s Emergency Department to get the appropriate treatment.
“Most times a GP or family doctor can provide medical advice and prescriptions to manage acute injuries and illnesses as well as long-term conditions. Alternatively, Accident and Medical clinics provide support for patients who feel unwell outside of regular GP hours or on weekends and public holidays.
“These clinics provide free or low cost care for children under 14 years old, adults over 65, and Community Service Card or High User Health Card holders.”
Who to contact
If you don’t have a family doctor you can find one on Healthpoint which is an online directory for GPs and also provides information on Accident and Medical clinics.
Health advice also is available 24 hours a day by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116 with the service providing interpreters for non-English speakers.
You can also download the Emergency Q app which has been designed to help users find what services are open, how long you may have to wait and, where appropriate, how much it may cost.
The app, which you can download from the app store or here, is free to use and will help you and your whaanau get the right care from the right place at the right time.