Health centres reach capacity
When Andrew Cawston and his family recently moved to Wairarapa from Auckland, the last thing they expected was a struggle finding a doctor.
While he was accepted at Masterton Medical in July, his wife Sharon and son John have since been turned away.
Cawston said though a lack of doctors would not have been a ‘‘deal-breaker’’ in their decision to move, it would have certainly been a factor in the process.
‘‘I don’t think it is an insurmountable problem. I can’t see why a doctor wouldn’t want to live here. It’s a great place to be,’’ he said.
Like many provincial regions, central Wairarapa has been hit hard by a lack of doctors, and with its two biggest health centres unable to take any more patients, newcomers are left with few options.
Masterton Medical, one of New Zealand’s biggest practices, catering to more than half the region’s patients, closed its books last week.
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said if new residents couldn’t get proper primary health care it put them at risk, and also hampered growth in the region. ‘‘People need to be able to access health services when they’re needed. With all the GPs in Masterton and Carterton having closed books where do you go to if you are new to town? We’ve got a lot of people moving into our area.’’
The lack of capacity at health centres would put pressure on the hospital’s emergency department.
‘‘If I was new to the area and I needed health care for my children and I couldn’t get in, that’s exactly where I’d go. The frightening part about it is some people might not do that. It puts families at risk,’’ she said.
Masterton Medical chairman Bob Francis said the centre hoped its closed-books status would only be temporary while staff looked for another doctor.
‘‘I think it is a one-off situation that everyone is working to fix. We’re putting a lot of resources into trying to fix it.’’
The only medical centre in the nearest town of Carterton is also no longer taking new patients.
Carterton Mayor John Booth said it was frustrating for new residents and could influence people’s decision to live in the district.
‘‘We’ve got quite a fastgrowing population, lots of new homes being built, new people moving here. That could have a detrimental effect down the line if new doctors aren’t available to fill the gaps.’’
Primary health organisation Tu¯ Ora Compass Health said all Wairarapa practices would continue to see urgent casual patients, but the clinical workforce was ‘‘struggling’’ to treat non-urgent casuals.
‘‘It is unfortunate that this situation has arisen at the time when across the system we are feeling the effects of winter, which simultaneously reduces supply and increases demand.’’
Patterson said many regions faced similar issues.
‘‘We have to come up with solutions that work for our community because the current situation cannot be allowed to continue.’’
Each of South Wairarapa District’s three main towns of Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston have their own medical centres and are still enrolling new patients.
Greytown Medical Centre is recruiting for another doctor.