Virtual docs bring world of experience to rural NZ

A small rural town has turned the crisis of losing of its only doctor into an opportunity to open the first pop-up virtual medical centre in the country.

Patients from the small South Taranaki town of Patea will now sit in front of two iPads and a TV to talk directly to a doctor based in Kaitaia, in the Far North.

MAiHEALTH is the brainchild of 2014 New Zealander of the Year Dr Lance O’Sullivan.

Ngati Ruanui’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said they approached O’Sullivan after it became clear it could be months before the town would find a new permanent doctor after the previous one left earlier this month.

There’s even a chance Patea patients will have their symptoms passed on to doctors based anywhere in New Zealand or abroad the world before receiving diagnoses, advice and prescriptions.

O’Sullivan said they were starting small and aiming to help around 20 per cent of medical issues such as sore throats, skin problems and infections.

‘‘We’re looking at a time where people can buy things online, they can communicate online, where entertainment is on devices,’’ he said. ‘‘We do so much all online and health is the natural next step to access online.’’

Ngarewa-Packer said they were still encouraging people with serious illness to visit a doctor face-to-face or to head to hospital, but the service would cut down the number of patients with less serious issues waiting in the health system and lead to earlier diagnoses.

Three members of the community will work at the centre, which is based out of the Patea Maori Club and starts tomorrow morning.

‘‘Lance or the GP could be in London or Kaitaia, it’s as simple as that,’’ Ngarewa-Packer said.

‘‘I know we’re the first iwi to do this but I predict there will be more iwi that will come in because just a really good fit.’’