Wānaka after-hours fully staffed and filling the void

A nurse-led after hours healthcare service based in Wānaka has finished its first week of operations, filling a more than two year void in overnight care.

Six people who otherwise would have needed to travel to Queenstown, sit tight until a GP clinic opened in the morning, or use an ambulance crew were treated over the seven days from Monday, October 14, when the new provider opened its doors.

It is an interim solution to an ongoing problem in the Upper Clutha - and other regional townships across the country - of looking after people's health emergencies once local doctors - already stretched - have signed off for the day.

Central Otago Health Services, which runs Dunstan Hospital in Clyde, is receiving a year's worth of funding from Health New Zealand to provide the lobbied-for service.

It is going by the official name of the 'Wānaka Overnight Acute Care Centre'.

Chief executive Hayley Anderson says the six first-up patients were all "managed by the nurses on site with telehealth support from the Dunstan Hospital doctor".

"Two patients were transferred to Dunstan Hospital the following day for imaging."

She wants to reiterate the centre, based from two rooms at the Aspiring Care Centre retirement village on Cardrona Valley Road, "is not a self-referral service".

People needed medical attention outside of regular GP hours still need to ring their GP's number and be triaged via the Ka Ora phone service, or ring the Ka Ora service directly.

Referred patients are then seen onsite by clinical nurse specialists, and Ms Anderson says the service is fully staffed.

"The service is operating really well, patients are appreciative of the service being offered locally and the nurses, who live locally, are enjoying their new work environment," she says.

Before the official opening day, a celebration was held to herald the start of the service, after what was a considerable journey. 

In response to the event, Mrs Anderson says it was "inspiring to witness the passion and commitment from so many, which played a crucial role in making this vision a reality".

"We are excited to have the Wānaka Overnight Acute Care Centre operational. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our community."

Wānaka's new after hours emergency service fees.

Health Minister Doctor Shane Reti, who announced his government's support for the service during a visit to Wānaka earlier in the year, sees it as a model that can work to plug a gap in a constrained environment. 

"By combining in person local support with elements of telehealth, expert healthcare will be available overnight in Wānaka.

"Residents will no longer need to travel such long distances, it will alleviate pressure on the local health workforce and free up ambulance services for emergencies.

"There is still more to do. This is an interim solution while Health New Zealand continues to look at alternate models of care that can be provided in the long-term across the region."

There is a charge for patients that ranges from $180 for anyone 14 years and older enrolled with a local GP clinic to $650 anyone 14 years and older visiting from overseas or not a resident.

Main image (Eldernet): Nurses based out of the Aspiring Care Centre on Cardrona Valley Road are one week in, providing much-demanded after hours healthcare in Wānaka.

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