People are being asked to leave the Tauranga Hospital's Emergency Department for emergencies only and to think of alternative healthcare providers for treatment.
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board's new campaign 'ED is for emergencies” is designed to inform Bay of Plenty residents about the range of alternative services that are available in their communities.
Papaloloa Ah-Wong of Otumoetai at Accident and HealthCare walk-in medical clinic being taken through the new ED IS FOR EMERGENCIES colour-coded guide by Doctor William Moss.
One of the key messages of the campaign is that ‘ED is for life-threatening and emergency conditions and that there are a range of other options available for people who are unwell'.
A Bay of Plenty District Health Board spokesperson says only 30-35 per cent of people who visit ED require emergency treatment, with attendance rates fluctuating each hour, each day, each week and each year.
One alternative medical treatment provider is Accident and HealthCare on 2nd Avenue.
Manager Dave Gilbert says they can see up to 100 patients on an average day.
'We treat all common health problems and injuries including detection of fractures.
'We specialise in accident and urgent medical care, performing procedures such as plastering, suturing and wound management.”
Dave says they also have x-ray facilities on site and are open from 8am to 9pm all year.
Patient Papaloloa Ah-Wong, from Otumoetai, says when he injured his hand on Thursday he debated about whether to go to Tauranga Hospital's ED or to seek alternative medical treatment providers.
'I injured my hand and was chatting with the boys about where I should go to get seen for treatment.
'It came up that the hospital ED was only for actual emergencies, so even though it was really sore I decided not to go there.”
He says there wasn't enough time to book in to see his GP, so he came here to Accident and HealthCare and was seen immediately without needing an appointment.
4 comments
MONEY
Posted on 03-11-2012 09:47 | By TERMITE
It is all about money, people can not afford the cost of a GP, no spare dosh for all of that so they go to ED where it is free of course. No rocket science in that.
not impressed.
Posted on 03-11-2012 16:20 | By sojourner
I am not impressed by this 'move'. Tauranga ED staff are NOT that busy, after hours there is nowhere to go but to the ED, and yes, there are plenty of people who cannot afford the other emergency clinic as non-registered patients because it is ridiculously expensive. Speaking from shocking experience with the Tauranga Hospital ED where three separate times we were left to wait until 3 or 4 in the morning while staff stood around doing NOTHING but chat and tell jokes.
GP's
Posted on 03-11-2012 16:38 | By TERMITE
When you got o visit a GP all you get is 10 minutes of clock watching and shuffled out the door as they all work to a numbers schedule, a bit like NZ Police speeding fine quota's.
@Sojourner
Posted on 03-11-2012 17:45 | By Gee Really
Could you tell us for what reason you were there three times? An accident, or a few sniffles perhaps? Just remember it's for real emergencies and there's no problem if you're turning up for that reason. Other stuff can wait. The staff by the way are great, and of course also human.
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