Health centre opens enrolments for CHB

Three new Hastings Health Centre family doctors are opening enrolments to Central Hawke’s Bay residents as they aim to help address the district’s GP shortage.

HHC’s chief executive Andrew Lesperance says priority will be given to CHB residents who do not currently have a family doctor. The service was not available for those who were already enrolled locally.

“Our new Central Hawke’s Bay enrolment strategy is as part of helping deliver greater GP support and improving access to primary health care services. This is the first time we are opening our books to Central Hawke’s Bay as we want to help people living in the district who, for a range of reasons, do not have a family doctor,” he said.

Drs Ashley Hooper, Justine McIntyre, Rebecca McKerras are all based in HHC’s new one-stop health and urgent care facility in Hastings.

“We know that in rural areas there is a GP shortage and people are becoming concerned and struggling to get into see a family doctor.

“While we are based in Hastings, we hope that our service will help provide reassurance to Central Hawke’s Bay residents that they can be seen by their family doctor and have access to quality healthcare and facilities.

“People will still need to travel to Hastings to visit their GP, however, we believe having access to a family doctor and nurse is far better than not being able to be seen when you are unwell,” Mr Lesperance said.

Enrolling with a GP is a simple process which requires patients to visit the Hastings Health Centre in person so they can fill out the required paperwork including bringing with them photo identification such as a passport or visa to prove healthcare eligibility.

As a HHC patient, Central Hawke’s Bay residents all receive additional benefits including access to HHC’s walk-in urgent care seven days a week at the enrolled patient rate and the online My Health portal.

They can also access all other on-site services.

Mr Lesperance says it was important to explain that the new GP enrolment service was not an opportunity to change doctors.

All CHB patients will need to travel to Hastings with appointments available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. Once a regular patient, people can have their prescriptions faxed to a pharmacy of choice including those in Waipawa and Waipukurau.

The service does not currently include home visits to Central Hawke’s Bay.