Free visits with the general practice team at Kaikoura Health

The team at Kaikoura Health Te Ha o Te Ora are fully staffed with a team of GPs and nurses who can see anyone about anything – and it won’t cost you a cent.

Kaikoura medical centre GP Dr Andrea Judd, said they would prefer to see people sooner, rather than later. “The last thing we want is people to put off getting medical treatment, care and advice,” she said. So don’t wait for things to get worse, come and see us.

For everyone in Kaikoura at the moment all health care is free of charge.

Here’s what you need to know:
• You need to make an appointment by phoning the nurse on (03) 319 3500 – you can call 24/7. *The nurse who answers your call will be able to arrange your appointment and can also provide free health advice.
• If you have any gastro symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, stay home and phone your own GP team or the nurse at Kaikoura Health for advice. If you have norovirus, a particularly contagious gastro bug, it’s easily spread from person to person, so it’s important to isolate yourself as much as possible – and definitely keep out of the kitchen.
• Clean your hands (with water and hand sanitiser) before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet. If you need more hand sanitiser, call into the Health Centre.
• Stay home if you have vomiting and diarrhoea – phone the nurse for advice, or get a healthy person to go up to Kaikoura Health to get advice and any supplies you may need.
• Boil all water or sterilise it with bleach (quarter of a teaspoon to 2 litres of water and let it sit for two hours before using)
“It’s so important that people don’t put off seeing a doctor or nurse. If you were injured in the quake, or aren’t feeling great – for any reason, please call the nurse at Kaikoura Health (03) 319 3500. Your call will be answered any time of the day or night.

“Additional staff have come in to help, so we’re very well staffed and ready to see anyone who needs help,” Dr Judd said.

Note: people in other areas of North Canterbury (outside Kaikoura) who need to see their general practice team for quake-related appointments will pay reduced ‘quake rates’ to see their GP or nurse.

“We don’t want money to be a barrier to people getting the care they need,” Dr Judd said.

Further public health information is available on the Canterbury DHB website.

ENDS

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