Taranaki GPs call for patience

Taranaki people are being asked to be patient as the region’s GP practices struggle to meet demand from Omicron cases in the community.

The region recorded its highest daily number of Covid-19 cases on Wednesday last week, with 679 infections reported in 24 hours, and the wave may not yet have peaked.

The majority of people with Omicron recover at home, with support from their GP, said Pinnacle network engagement and communications director Marie Simpson, of Hamilton.

‘‘People are not always aware how much work is being done for those with Covid.

‘‘The headlines focus on the people [with Covid] who are in hospital, but the rest are under primary care, they all need to be contacted by phone to check they are OK, and some might need that every day.’’

As well, some practices had staff away because they or a family member had tested positive, and they were isolating.

To handle the workload, most practices were triaging patients through phone calls, GPs were doing more telephone consultations, and nurses were dealing with more health issues.

Non-urgent appointments were being postponed, and some practices were asking patients to wait in their cars instead of going into the waiting room.

‘‘We are making sure someone coming in for something like a smear test or to have their child immunised isn’t coming into contact with somebody who has respiratory symptoms,’’ Simpson said.

She asked people to be patient even if they didn’t like the changes. ‘‘I’d say that ‘be kind’ is still important, practices are doing their best they can to serve everyone’s needs.

‘‘These different things are helping to keep everybody safe when they come to the practice, but people don’t like different. Everyone’s ropes are very short these days,’’ she said.

A letter explaining the changes for patients had been prepared for the 87 practices supported by Pinnacle, she said.

In New Plymouth, the Devon Medical Centre sent a letter to patients this week explaining why some services have changed.

‘‘Aroha mai, Devon Medical Centre is currently under a lot of pressure providing remote care for a high number of Covid-19 patients who are self-managing their illness at home. Some of our team members are in isolation with their whānau, so we’re also short-staffed,’’ the letter said.

‘‘We are inundated with phone calls, so it may take longer than usual to get through. We are still here for you though, so please don’t put off getting in touch if you’re unwell.’’