Lack of afterhours GP service shocks

A grandmother and former Tairāwhiti District Health board member is stunned that there is no afterhours general practice (GP) service operating in the region.

Hiki Pihema worked in the health industry for 35 years, including two terms on the district health board, before retiring in 2021.

She did not realise no afterhours service was available until her moko needed a specific asthma inhaler that required a doctor to prescribe.

“We need a kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) service with a general practice which includes afterhours,” Ms Pihema said.

Health NZ Te Whatu Ora confirmed no stand-alone urgent or afterhours health service was operating in Tairāwhiti

Te Whatu Ora works with Pinnacle primary health organisation and Ngāti Porou Hauora via their contracted providers to deliver primary care services for the region.

“As part of these arrangements each general practice will have a slightly different approach to provision of service either in person or through telehealth,” said  Lisa Gestro, Health NZ’s  group manager of regional system integration.

“We have been made aware more recently that retaining in-person, afterhours services has become more challenging for a range of reasons, and we have committed to working closely with the PHOs to ensure accessible afterhours and urgent care services are available.

“We acknowledge the workforce and sustainability pressures that primary care teams are facing. As they work through their options, they want to remind people in Tairāwhiti that there are health options available such as Healthline (and) local pharmacies . . . calling your general practice or pharmacist for advice are all options available for non-urgent issues,” she said.

Ms Pihema said the Government needed to fund GPs through a more realistic model than what was being used.

Te Whatu Ora encourages people to call 111 or go to an emergency department if they are experiencing a medical emergency. If your child or baby is unwell, they can contact

Plunketline 24/7 on 0800 933 922.

They also recommend for rural communities to contact Ka Ora, which provides tele-healthcare support and can be accessed at Ka Ora Telecare.

Another recommendation is to search for virtual consultation services on wwww.healthnavigator.org.nz

“As always, our hospital’s emergency department is available to see any patient who requires urgent treatment,” Ms Gestro said.

“Patients with the highest needs are triaged to be seen first.”

Ms Pihema said an telehealth service was not readily available nor accessible for many people throughout Tairāwhiti.

“Many of our whānau are struggling to take care of their health needs and prefer to use their GP.

“In the absence of an after-hours GP service, of course whānau will go to ED, which is absolutely essential in an emergency.

“For other matters, however, they will be putting more pressure on an already overburdened and stretched workforce.

“With winter approaching, our doctors and nurses will be hit with even more people needing their attention.

“Our whānau would like to see an after-hours GP service restored in Tairāwhiti — one that is fully funded by this Government.”

Ms Pihema said her moko did end up getting the inhaler needed through other sources.