Waihi Family Doctors

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350361805/our-primary-care-sector-headed-collapse?fbclid=IwY2xjawEl7HdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUGN1J6PLsDOIb0CHEF3rLdymHQM0fHTi1NnCKWsQI4Hgokn2b6q0VGGHA_aem_lOXwZrGsQsNCxpzYp9xbcw

Patients will die - GP’s dire warning A GP leader says the health system is facing “complete collapse” within two years when “people will be dying who shouldn’t die”.

Inspired by the Olympics…why not see what August means around the world….

❗ Today (Monday 22 July) Waikato Hospital is experiencing high demand for health services and our Emergency Department is very busy. ❗
For those needing urgent care, our services are open and we are here to help. ❤️
If you have a minor illness, or are feeling sick and it is not an emergency, please call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for FREE 24-hour health advice or call your GP.
On arrival, anyone presenting to ED will be assessed by a nurse and then prioritised for treatment based on their assessed level of clinical need.
🙏 We ask that everyone be patient. Non-urgent patients may experience longer waiting times than normal as we prioritise those requiring urgent care.

UPDATE 22/7/24 - We continue to have clinical staffing levels affected by illness. Thank you for your kindness if we do ring you to move this to a telehealth appointment, or offer you another appointment. Given It is winter the waiting times for routine appointments have stretched out a few weeks ahead as we focus more resources on those who are unwell.

Both Hospitals (Tauranga & Waikato/Thames) are continuing to report they very busy so please only consider attending ED once you have sought advice to do so, or if you have an Injury or illness that is severe.

The flu (in particularly influenza A) is currently doing the rounds in our community alongside the usual colds, and so there are alot of people reporting high fevers, muscle aches, headaches, sore throats, and coughs.

Just a reminder that supportive care is the best we can offer to treat viral infections, and that symptoms can last from 5-10 days often before improving. Antibiotics are ineffective when it comes to viruses and so they have no role to play in treating symptoms in the inital illness. We risk contributing towards antibiotic resistance if we use them unnecessarily.

We do encourage you to seek advice and/or review if you are concerned about the severity or duration of symptoms outside of what is usually expected, espcially if it is a baby or young child , or an older adult with significant long term medical problems (see the attached picture below for further information on when to seek advice via https://healthed.govt.nz/products/what-to-do-with-colds-and-flu )

TELEHEALTH (video or phone) are readily available.
We highly recommend Ka Ora as they are our rural after hours provider. Their GPs have access to the shared electronic record and refer you on for further investigations or ED as required.
Practice plus from the same provider but available during daytime, however this is not subsidised.
Other options also include emergency consult (avail 24/7) , CareHQ (free for southern cross members)
Healthline remains a free resource for nurse advice 0800 611 116

Ka Ora: (our after hours provider ) from 5pm - 8am weekdays and across weekend 0800 2 KA ORA (0800 252 672) www.kaora.co.nz/app can be booked in advance,

Practice plus: 0800 772 2758 www.practiceplus.nz (available during weekdays. see website for costs)

Emergency consult www.emergencyconsult.co.nz
Care HQ www.carehq.co.nz

IN PERSON
Tauranga
Accident & Healthcare 2nd ave
www.secondavehealth.co.nz

Hamilton
Anglesea medical www.angleseaclinic.co.nz
VIctoria clinic www.victoriaclinic.co.nz
Tui Medical www.tuimedical.co.nz/locations/rototuna www.tuimedical.co.nz/locations/te-rapa.


RESOURCES
Here are some resources that may help you with understanding cold & flu symptoms and how you can manage them.
Remembering as well prevention is better than the cure - stay home if you are sick, (consider wearing a mask if you need to leave the house) dont cough or sneeze over others, and remember about hand hygeine, wash your hands!
https://bpac.org.nz/2023/docs/Viral-Illness-Patient-Info.pdf
https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/c/cold-the-flu-or-covid-19/
https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/i/influenza/
https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/c/cough-runny-nose-sore-throat/

Dont forget our local pharmacies can advice on the best supportive care as well - remembering that supportive medications only ease symptoms at best however are NOT cures.
https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/c/cold-and-flu-medicines-adults/
https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/c/cough-cold-medicines-children/
https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/which-cold-and-flu-remedies-are-a-waste-of-money

Much needed yumminess today, thankyou Waikato National Bowel Screening Programme 😍

If you have any queries/ questions about bowel screening call us or visit timetobowelscreen.nz

We have our monthly staff meeting until 2pm. The front door is locked and phones will be going through to the answer phone. Please follow the instructions if you have an emergency.

It’s Mindfulness Month for July hosted by Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Social media is a big part of our daily living, we are highlighting some questions and suggestions we can ask ourselves when using social media to help keep not only our young but also our not so young people safe 😃

ALSO: From 1st July 2024: The government has ended all COVID-19 funding for GP assessments. These consults will now attract usual fees for those 14 years and over .

Statement from Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand:
***“Health NZ continues to transition its health response to COVID-19 so it is managed in a similar way to other communicable diseases, but some funded COVID-19 services remain available for people to access to support them with the prevention and management of COVID-19 throughout the winter months - particularly for those most at risk.”

From 1 July 2024, those aged 14 years and over will be charged for COVID-19 healthcare visits at their doctor as they would for any other non-COVID-19 healthcare visits.

All tamariki aged 13 and under who are eligible for publicly funded health services, are eligible for free visits during normal business hours at their usual doctor, hauora provider or healthcare provider, including for COVID-19 healthcare.

COVID-19 vaccines remain free for those who are eligible which includes everyone aged 5 and over, and tamariki from 6 months who are at greater risk of severe illness if they were to get COVID-19.

“Vaccination against COVID-19 is our first line of defence against the virus. We encourage people to ensure everyone in their whānau keeps up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine and all other available vaccinations.”

Funded COVID-19 antiviral medicine remains available for people with a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

“People who are eligible for COVID-19 antiviral medicine can continue to get a prescription for these antivirals from their doctor, healthcare provider, or hauora provider, and some pharmacies can supply antivirals to eligible people without a medical prescription.”***

Today is July 1st, which is the start of the ' financial health year' and the time we are allowed to review and adjust our consult fees.

Since the introduction of zero fees for Tamariki 13 and under (10 years ago) we have chosen to extend zero fees to include those up to 18, and we have subsidised this cost ourselves as there is no funding to do this.

We are very mindful of financial pressures at this time with cost of living impacting on every household, however due to the effective reduction in funding, it has become unsustainable for us to continue to not charge for this age group, so from today we will need to charge the standard fee for Tamariki aged 14-17, which will be $13 for both GMS and ACC consults.

Just a reminder that it is a long weekend with Matariki public holiday on Friday. Ka Ora Telecare will be available from Thursday 5pm through to Monday 8am.

Please go online to www.kaora.co.nz to book a same day GP appointment with our after hours
telehealth partner. Alternatively you can call 0800 2 KA ORA - 0800 252 672 after 5pm on
weekdays, or anytime over the weekend or public holiday.

HRT/MRT - Transdermal Estrogen

Our local pharmacists have been working hard to obtain a supply of oestrogen gel as well as the patches, unfortunately there is high demand globally for both, and NZ supplies have currently run out.

This means our only alternative is to prescribe oral oestrogen for the short term until the supply is back. This may be for at least 3-6 months.

Please be reassured that oral oestrogen is extrememly effective in managing symptoms, however it does have slightly higher risk (1:1000) in regards to potentially causing a blood clot such as a DVT, and is unsuitable for a few other conditions. At the time of providing your script we will check that oral oestrogen is safe for you.

For that small number of women that we identify that oral oestrogen is unsuitable, we will continue to work with our pharmacists to source alternative transdermal options for you.

Another useful handout about the HRT/MRT patch shortage and the options that are available

Again, a huge thankyou to our patients that filled out the short survey they received via txt in the last couple of months. We really appreciate your time completing it.
As promised those that filled out the survey, went into a draw to win New World Vouchers.

We drew 2 winners and they will be contacted today.

We may run another survey later in the year. So keep an eye out for your chance to win😄😄

In June, we are displaying info on Men's Health Week NZ

For the month of May we ran a friendly in house competition to help motivate us to promote and support the Waikato National Bowel Screening Programme

Our awesome nurse Kay won a little personalised gift box 😍

There is a shortage of some strength HRT/MRT estrogen patches again. If we can’t supply the right dose we may suggest alternative options such as estrogen gels which are equally safe and effective, just not funded yet. Some patients may be suitable to have tablets.
See info below

FYI Pathlab in Waihi and Paeroa Closed all Day today.

Reminder : if you have received a link to a short survey via txt msg, to be into win some new world vouchers - the survey needs to be completed by 31st May 2024

Winner will be contacted 😄

We are getting in amongst Waikato National Bowel Screening Programme this month to support their work and are also running a staff in-practice friendly competition for motivation. 🎉🎉

Unfortunately our team is impacted by illness today, and we have limited capacity for our urgent clinic this morning.

We are starting to see the rise of respiratory illnesses (coughs & colds,and covid) as the weather cools off.

As a reminder most healthy children & adults can fight off cold and flu symptoms without any need for intervention like antibiotics. (virus's do not respond to antibiotics - only bacterial illnesses)

Supportive management for ther first 7-10 days is appropriate, although if you or your child are having high fevers >38.5 for more than 5 days, increased work of breathing/shortness of breath or symptoms prolonged beyond that time, then we would recommend seeking advice or review. Post viral coughs can continue for sometimes 6 weeks after a cold, but you should be better in yourself.

If you are aged 3-33 and have a sore throat (without other cold symptoms ie runny nose) you should seek a throat swab for strep throat caused by GAS - not treating this could lead to rheumatic fever in those who are vulnerable to it. Our nurses can do these swabs.

Remember you can book an appointment (after 5pm) during the day for our AH provider Ka Ora via their website www.kaora.co.nz.

ALSO - a reminder - the flu vaccine is still available, it is funded for those >65 years or who have eligible chronic illnesses or are pregnant. If you work or live with the elderly, very young or medically vulnerable, we would encourage you to consider one as well - the cost is $35.

The mobile breastscreening bus is back in Waihi soon, ring and book your appt o 0800 270 200.

DId you know that there is also a permanent breastscreen location at Te Korowai in Thames all year round?

It’s that time again…

Phone reception to book in for our drive through clinics if you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine.

Or any other enquiries speak to our lovely reception team 😁

Happy international Women’s Day!

For all those women who are interested in learning more about the role of hormones in your health in the perimenopause years this webinar is for you! It features 3 highly respected clinicians who all work in women’s health.
Check out the poster and I will attach a link in the comments as well. Normally this webinar would cost $25 pp but they have graciously made it more accessible (pay what you can).

Funding for primary care is not fit for purpose and many practices are close to not being financially sustainable - on top of high levels of burnout from an increase in workload patient complexity and non contact/non funded paperwork time which is a burden we can’t escape.

Unless the government urgently addresses this issue we will see more and more GPs leave the workforce and GP practices will close across the country over the next few years.

Smaller and rural practices will go first.
If allowed to happen this will be a disaster for the health of our communities, and NZ as a whole. Our hospital system (especially ED) will be overloaded beyond capacity. If you think it’s bad now… Just wait.

If you don’t want a future without primary care it’s time to make noise at the government -
Write letters to MPs, the health minister…. Tell them how important your GP is to you and your family, your
Community

(null) https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350194021/wed-see-more-people-dying-ambulances-doctors-fear-gp-system-brink-collapse?fbclid=IwAR3Sy3eH_fmZ1fRvipX8xDQajhHXHbCjh5nesXn8b79kwxuGBCqzmo3zW4U_aem_ARsHFrfFxybxfGWGLzwKWvNCiQE4D2SXAge169Yacrhp2J5RL0W7aG7Zqvs3N3rNwTM

Doctors fear GP system is on brink of collapse Some GPs are struggling to keep doors open, working extra hours for free and worry New Zealanders could pay the price with their health.

The new Covid-19 vaccine/booster is available tomorrow, 7th March.

This vaccine covers the newer strains of the virus. You will be eligible for a funded vaccine if:

- You are aged 30 years and over
- You are aged 16-29 and pregnant
- You are aged 12-29 and are at a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.

If you’re eligible, you can get a vaccination if it’s been at least six months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or if you have never had one before. It is also recommended that you wait at least six months since your last COVID-19 infection.

Vaccinations available Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am-2.30pm and Wednesdays and Thursdays 9.30am-4.30pm.

Exciting times form Waihi St John with their long awaited upgrade. We can’t wait to see the new improved station!

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/st-johns-waihi-ambulance-station-to-get-revamp-after-two-decades/QI3ZYBCPRNBL3GUFNJOKKYRVYA/?fbclid=IwAR2wwKlBWSgD_iB7255YETCSUiDPKwdj9BiMpdLjApBDiF1OX2SAI6uNX4I_aem_AXD8iuVhypqsER6eMCF4z1GlAcq23NGcGAYRJW0tC9FNvkJp09GSP4LT3WgaIY-wvUY #

St Johns: New and improved ambulance station for Waihī, temporary relocation for services Planning and construction of the station was put on hold due to lack of funding.

Ears blocked? Strugging to hear?

Our lovely Nurse Tui has opened an Ear Micro suction clinic based at her home in Waihi. She has available appointments usually within 1-2 days.

Check out her page - message her if you need further info on prices. 😀

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556701461458&mibextid=hu50Ix

Ears To Clear If you are needing your ears cleared of wax I can help you via micro-suctioning method :)