Northland mobile clinic set up thanks to ear, nose and throat surgeon on sabbatical leave
Dr David Waterhouse from Whangārei's Tūhauora Clinic has been helping establish the mobile specialist clinic, Tarāpunga, to improve access for patients
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NZ Herald
07-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Whangārei Hospital spends $100K sending ED patients to private clinic
But one emergency doctor, Dr Gary Payinda, said the vouchers use taxpayer money on a private, for-profit clinic and would be better spent in the hospital. 'Why can't that money be used within the public sector to pay for nurses and nurse practitioners and doctors to care for patients directly ... instead of losing 10 to 20% on profits?' Payinda roughly calculated the money would pay for a nurse practitioner to work 28 hours a week, seeing between 2500 and 3680 patients a year. The use of vouchers shows Northlanders cannot afford to pay for private urgent care, which is 'really tragic', he said. The coalition Government is putting more money into private urgent care, including a $164 million investment over four years announced in Budget 2025. But Payinda said this model still relies on people being able to pay, which is not sustainable in Northland. Fees for the new urgent care services are still being worked out but a new virtual GP service will cost adults $25 to $33 with a community services card, or $69 to $99 without a card. Alex Pimm, group director of operations for Health NZ Te Tai Tokerau, said the vouchers are offered to people presenting at ED who are assessed to have a medical condition that can be appropriately managed in an urgent care clinic. Patients are given the option of going to the clinic or waiting to be seen at the ED and get a reminder message if they take the voucher but do not attend the clinic. A 2018 review in Auckland's Waitematā showed the voucher system had a positive impact on EDs by transferring lower-acuity patients to appropriate primary care, he said. Economic analysis found it was cost-effective but Health NZ will be reviewing the voucher system in the next financial year, to reassess value for money and identify any improvements, Pimm said. Whangārei Hospital is 'very busy' at this time of year, with winter illnesses putting extra pressure on all EDs, he said. However, Pimm would not detail the current occupancy rate at Northland's EDs, instead saying people needing urgent hospital-level care will 'always be able to receive it'. Health NZ group director Alex Pimm and Health Minister Simeon Brown, pictured at Whangārei Hospital, say new urgent care funding will result in more consistent fees. Health Minister Simeon Brown, when asked how the unaffordability of urgent care will be addressed, said fees will become more consistent as part of the Budget 2025 announcement. 'Health New Zealand will negotiate with providers in areas where improved urgent care has been identified to ensure services are in place – with a clearer fee structure as part of that work.' Whangārei has been identified as needing a new 24/7 urgent care service from 2026, building on the urgent care already available, he said. Extended after-hours services have been identified as needed in Dargaville, Hokianga, and Kaitāia, and enhanced rural urgent care has been identified for Mangawhai, Kawakawa, Kaikohe and Waipapa, he said. Urgent and after-hours care will also be strengthened in Russell and Kāeo, Brown said. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
NZ Herald
30-06-2025
- NZ Herald
Northland mobile clinic set up thanks to ear, nose and throat surgeon on sabbatical leave
An surgeon using his sabbatical leave to set up a mobile clinic for rural Northlanders says more like-minded colleagues will be needed to help make the service sustainable. Dr David Waterhouse from Whangārei's Tūhauora Clinic has been helping establish the mobile specialist clinic, Tarāpunga, to improve access for patients
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Scoop
Delivering Better Orthopaedic Care For Northland
Minister of Health The Government is delivering on its commitment to improve healthcare access across the country, with expanded orthopaedic services now reaching more patients in Northland, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 'New Zealanders deserve timely, high-quality healthcare no matter where they live – and that's exactly what we're delivering for both urban and rural Northlanders,' Mr Brown says. In a major boost to orthopaedic services, Health New Zealand has welcomed three new orthopaedic surgeons to the Northland region. Their arrival has significantly increased the capacity to see and treat more patients, including through outreach clinics in rural areas. 'These additional surgeons mean around 160 more people can be seen every month, including through specialist clinics, follow-ups and first specialist assessments. 'This will help to reduce wait times and improve access to care – particularly for people in more remote areas.' One of the new surgeons is also running a weekly diabetic foot clinic, with plans to expand this into a multidisciplinary service aimed at improving outcomes, preventing amputations, and reducing hospital admissions. Meanwhile, Kaitaia Hospital has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its first total knee replacement surgery – bringing advanced orthopaedic care even closer to home for Far North residents. 'This is a fantastic result for patients in the Far North. Kaitaia is over two and a half hours from Whangārei and being able to access this level of care locally means people can recover in their own community, supported by family and familiar surroundings.' 'These developments reflect our Government's clear focus on improving access to health services, reducing pressure on the system, and ensuring better outcomes for all New Zealanders. 'We're backing our health workforce, investing in regional capacity, and ensuring care is delivered where it's needed most. 'This is about delivering practical, meaningful improvements to healthcare in the regions – and making sure Northlanders get the care they need, closer to home,' Mr Brown says.
