23 November 2004
Capital & Coast DHB Working To Ensure Consistency In Access To After-Hours Services Across District
The Board of C DHB has today agreed on the terms for the development of a consistent model for after-hours services across the
district.
The Board held a special meeting today to discuss the appropriate levels of part charges for patients seeking GP-type
care at the new Accident & Medical Centre which is due to open at Kenepuru Community Hospital in Porirua next April.
The Board today once again confirmed that all emergency and secondary care at the A will be free of charge. However part charges will apply for patients requiring GP-type services, which would normally
be seen and treated by their family doctor.
The Board has been working on the issue of part-charges for a number of months, and at their November meeting agreed
that this was essential in order to avoid damaging the ‘continuity of care’ relationship between patients and their
regular GPs.
The Board today reaffirmed that continuity of care is important, especially for those with chronic conditions or
requiring regular care. The Board noted that primary care is best delivered by doctors in ‘general practice’ in the
community (GPs).
“The whole issue of after-hours care has grown wider in recent months,” Board chairman Bob Henare said today. “The
recent decision by the privately run Wellington Accident & Urgent Medical Centre to close between the hours of 11pm and 8am makes it clear that we need to agree on a consistent
approach for the whole district, encompassing Kapiti, Porirua and Wellington.
“Today we set the guidelines for the development of that district-wide plan. This is a huge step forward, and will help
ensure that no-one is disadvantaged, and that primary care services in the community are not eroded.
“The principles which underpin this approach include a focus on reducing disparities, establishing consistency across
the whole district and contributing to the sustainability of PHOs,” Bob Henare said.
The Board will seek input from the public, health professionals, PHOs, community representatives, advisory groups, the
Maori Partnership Board and others in early 2005 on the district-wide model for after-hours services.
Accordingly, the fee scale for part charges for GP-type care at Kenepuru A will be finalised early next year, to ensure it fits with the model for district-wide consistency.
ENDS