Emergency department gears up for holidays

21 December 2005

Emergency department gears up for holidays

Tauranga Hospital’s emergency department is gearing itself up for the forthcoming festive season.

Every year holidaymakers and Western Bay of Plenty residents cause avoidable pressure on the emergency department with an increasing trend for people to turn up with non-urgent conditions for which they should be going to a GP or a private accident and health clinic.

Head of Tauranga Hospital Emergency Department, Dr Derek Sage, says that people at this time of year often treat the emergency department as the first point of referral for all sorts of illnesses, including many minor health problems.

“With the holiday season upon us, it is time for us to remind the community that the emergency department is very busy under normal circumstances coping with genuine emergencies, without having to cope with ailments that should be tended to by a GP or private accident and health centre,” says Dr Sage.

A triage system in the emergency department at Tauranga Hospital ensures that people with the most urgent problems or injuries are treated as soon as possible. All patients are assessed and prioritised by a trained triage nurse and those not needing the emergency department’s services are offered health care advice or referred to their GP or local private accident and medical clinics.

“To avoid delays or frustration, our message is simple - if you know your problem is not urgent see your GP or private health clinic and save the emergency department for those in real need.

What some members of the public don’t realise is that GP services are also available after hours in evenings, weekends and on public holidays through four accident and health services,” says Dr Sage.

Bayfair Doctors Corner of Girven Road/Grenada Street, Mount Maunganui
Phone: 07 572 6800
Open from 8am to 8pm daily

Accident and Healthcare 19 Second Ave, Tauranga
Phone: 07 577 0010
Open from 8am to 9pm daily

CentralMed Medical Centre Corner of 14th Ave/Devonport Road, Tauranga
Phone: 07 928 8000
Open from 8am to 6pm weekdays and 9am to 12 noon Saturday

Mount Medical Centre 257 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
Phone: 07 577 3073
Open Monday to Thursday 8am to 7pm, Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 12 noon

“There is also Healthline that you can call toll free on 0800 611 116 for free 24-hour health advice from a registered nurse.”

“We are hoping that this Christmas and New Year period will be quiet and that the public will save the emergency department for emergencies”.

ENDS

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