Wānaka's new overnight acute care service opens on October 14 for one year, as an "interim solution" to population growth pressures on the town’s healthcare providers, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced this week.
The 12-month after-hours service has been funded by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand (HNZ) and the nurses will be employed by Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL), with back-up from a Dunstan Hospital doctor based at Clyde.
COSHL and HNZ have previously announced the service would be located inside the Aspiring Enliven aged care facility, in Cardrona Valley Rd, which is next door to the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre, and operate from 11pm to 8am, seven days a week.
"This area has experienced significant population growth and health services simply haven’t kept up," Dr Reti said.
There was "still more to do", he added.
"This is an interim solution while Health New Zealand continues to look at alternate models of care that can be provided in the long-term across the region," he said.
COHSL chief executive Hayley Anderson said this week she welcomed Wānaka’s new arrangement, designed to minimise out-of-town travel for medical assessments, and free up ambulances to attend local emergencies.
"I know how hard the community has been advocating for improved access to healthcare in Wānaka and alongside my Health New Zealand colleagues, I am proud we are able to support the community with this important after hours primary care service.
"I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the local general practice teams and Hato Hone St John in providing after hours and urgent care in the area.
"This new service will wrap around that work to provide 24/7 access to urgent and primary care," Mrs Anderson said.
Dunstan Hospital team had "gone above and beyond to advocate, support and plan for this service", she said.
"I am very proud of their significant contribution and dedication to implementing accessible healthcare for our community," she said.
Dr Reti said the new service would be supported by local GPs, St John and telehealth service Ka Ora.
