North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Anxious wait for cancer results
A staffing shortage at an Auckland general practice has led to a torturous wait for a woman waiting in fear of a possible cancer diagnosis.
Patient Patricia Rive had a phone call from her doctor saying they had ‘‘found something’’ on her ultrasound and she must come in for an appointment. That was six weeks ago. She is still waiting.
‘‘I’m not happy I’ve had to wait this long with the possibility of a cancer prognosis,’’ Rive said.
Te Puna Hauora o Te Paki Paewhenua is a low-cost health organisation in the North Shore, with family surgeries in Northcote and Birkdale. For an adult over 18, doctors visits are $16. Children are free.
In November 2017, Rive attended the Birkdale clinic to ask for a hysterectomy but she needed to have a ultrasound first. On December 28, she was told over the phone they had ‘‘found something’’ on the ultrasound, and she needed to see a doctor.
An appointment was made, but it was cancelled a few hours prior, because the doctor was not there. The clinic tried unsuccessfully to reschedule, and Rive finds it very difficult to even get to speak to anyone at the clinic.
‘‘It’s gotten to the point where it’s beyond a joke now,’’ she said.
In frustration, Rive has had paid $95 dollars to change doctors and is hoping to be in to North Shore Hospital shortly.
‘‘I’m appalled. If it’s worst case scenario and it’s cancer. Would a six-week, non-waiting period make a difference to the outcome?’’ she said.
Te Puna Hauora clinical director Lydia Marsden said there are no excuses for how Rive has been treated and she feels for her. However, since two long-term doctors transferred out, things have been a scramble, she said.
‘‘It’s almost impossible to find doctors in Auckland,’’ Marsden said.
But, not all doctors are looking to work for organisations like Te Puna Hauora.
‘‘Low cost access can be demanding. Some doctors just don’t want to work for us,’’ she said. ‘‘We are as unhappy as the people who are complaining.’’
ProCare’s clinical director Allan Moffitt said there is certainly a workforce issue and highneed areas struggle more. An increasing population requires more GPs but primary care is not attracting enough new young professionals, Moffitt said.