Emergency Department for Emergencies Only

17 December 2008

Taranaki District Health Board physicians are asking Taranaki residents to keep an eye on their health before the Christmas / New Year period.

In ‘silly seasons’ gone by trauma cases and those presenting from alcohol and drug related incidents sent the number of people presenting at Taranaki Base and Hawera Hospital Emergency Departments skyrocketing.

However there are others who needed help because their GP had closed down and they felt the only place to go was an emergency department.

Taranaki DHB Emergency Head of Department, Dr Greg Stevens said those people could avoid a long wait by planning better.

“Non emergency presentations are not a problem for us working in Emergency Departments but they are a problem for the patients who have to wait while we deal with more urgent cases. And this can take many hours,” said Dr Stevens. “That during the holidays would be better spent relaxing with loved ones.”

“There are walk in health clinics available, at Phoenix (8.30am – 8.30pm) and MediCross (8am – 8pm) in New Plymouth. Southcare, in Hawera, is closed for the Stat days and open from 0800-1830 Monday to Friday over the Christmas break. For health advice, Healthline - 0800 611 116 - is available 24 hours a day.”

Dr Stevens said is was important that people with urgent medical problems did not hesitate to come to the ED, but those with long term conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes or heart failure, should do their best to manage their conditions by having a check up with their GP and getting repeat prescriptions filled early to cover the holiday period.

In December 2007, 2443 people presented at Taranaki Base Hospitals Emergency Department, with January figures reaching 2460, well above the average numbers.  It was similar in Hawera ED with 1606 presentation December last year and 1298 in January with numbers continuing to rise throughout the year.

“Our emergency Departments are always well prepared for the holiday period, but you can help us by being prepared yourself,” said Dr Stevens.

“Staff will be working hard to treat the most urgent patients quickly and efficiently so if your condition is not urgent try and plan ahead to avoid an unnecessary wait.”

For more information please call

Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
Ph. 021 367 789