Health minister Dr Shane Reti has announced Wānaka’s after-hours health service will finally open its doors in mid-October.

The service will be provided by Central Otago Health Services Limited (COHSL) in collaboration with local GPs, St John and Ka Ora, funded by Health New Zealand.

“The nurse-led service will be open overnight, seven days a week, from Monday 14 October,” the minister said.

“Patients will call their normal healthcare provider and will be triaged over the phone before being referred to the in-person service.”

In June the minister announced the service would be available from September, following calls from locals for better provision of healthcare services in Wānaka.

A closer look at the new service

COHSL, which operates and manages Dunstan Hospital at Clyde, has received funding for a year from Health NZ, but there will also be a patient co-payment for the service.

Consultation fees from 11pm for those enrolled with a WellSouth GP practice will be $140 (for those 14 years and over) and free for those under 14. 

For ACC injuries the fees will be $65 for those enrolled who are over 14, and free for those under 14.

Fees are higher for New Zealand visitors ($280 for over 14) and overseas visitors and non residents ($650).

Patients will be referred by Ka Ora or Hato Hone St John. Some patients may be transferred from the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre to the Wānaka Overnight Acute Care Service for ongoing observation overnight.

After 11pm if people are unwell, they should call their usual medical centre and follow voice prompts to be transferred to Ka Ora (0800 252 672). The patient will then be triaged in consultation with the Dunstan Hospital overnight doctor to determine the best course of action, which may include presenting to the after hours service.

An experienced clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will provide the same services as a general practice or a small emergency department with telehealth support from the Dunstan Hospital overnight senior doctor. These services may include (but are not limited to) assessment and observation, point of care blood testing, cardiac monitoring, fluids, pain medication, and minor suture and laceration repair.

People should still call 111 in an emergency.

Response to new service

Community-led advocacy group Health Action Wānaka has said it was encouraged by the announcement of the after hours service but noted that it was a ‘stop gap’; the group will continue to advocate for a “sustainable after-hours service, such as a publicly funded emergency department,” it said.

Health minister Shane Reti said the new service was “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”.

COHSL chief executive officer Hayley Anderson acknowledged “the hard work of the local general practice teams and Hato Hone St John in providing after hours and urgent care in the area”. 

Read more: ‘Overnight acute care service’ on track

The service will be located at the Enliven Care Centre on Cardrona Valley Road. It will be available for 12 months.

PHOTO: Supplied