AFTER HOURS

I note that the decision to operate an After Hours Service in Rangiora has been delayed yet again (considering this was supposed to open in April - I stand to be corrected on that). We have been told that the population of the Waimakariri District alone exceeds that of Nelson City – to me, not having a decent after hours service is really not acceptable.

I see that 4300 people used that After Hours Service in Madras St in 2016. Based on the assumption that the 3000 folks that used this service were not enrolled, this is $100 per head x 3000 = $300,000.00, plus 1300 seen during working hours at $85.00 per head = $110,500.00. A combined total of $410.000.

This total does not account for the travel cost as well – I believe the cost of a taxi one way is about $100. Potentially a visit could cost $300.

While the Paramedic Service is a great service, I understand that if the Paramedic spends more than 15 minutes with a patient, there is a fee of $88 that is charged by St Johns, plus, if a referral is made to After Hours, the fees charged as above will apply as well.

What was not mentioned in the article was, how many patients did the St John Paramedic attend in 2016, and of those, how many were charged the $88? That would be an interesting figure.

Also, of those charged the $88, how many required further assessment at After Hours, at $100.00 plus other costs?

Whose vested interests are being served with the potentially $500,000 being spent? I would suggest it is not the residents of the Waimak and beyond.

Given that there is an increasing proportion of elderly living in the Waimakariri, is any further delay really acceptable?

I am disappointed in our local MP, as he has indicated he has a background in health management, but does not seem to be doing anything to change the status quo.

I am left wondering if this has become a political football, and any decision is going to be delayed until after the election.

I am beginning to believe that there is no intention to establish an After Hours Service north of the Waimakariri.

Alan Rogers is questioning the will to establish an after hours service north of the Waimakariri