Staffing woes change centre’s practices
A Tokoroa medical practice already suffering from a lack of qualified staff is preparing for an expected Omicron outbreak and has put in place alternative options to care for its patients.
The Tokoroa Medical Centre, owned and operated by Pinnacle Midlands Health, has been experiencing a staff shortage and has called on out-of-town GPs to come to its aid.
Pinnacle Midlands Health acting chief executive Justin Butcher said they have been trying hard to find new doctors but because of a nationwide shortage, the search has been difficult.
‘‘Some of our doctors have left and some are on long-term leave,’’ he said.
‘‘[But] we are still here for the Tokoroa community. We’re just doing things a bit differently to ensure people continue to get the right medical care when they need it.
‘‘Doctors from out of town are helping out at the practice, and we are also offering virtual consults.’’
Primary Health Care Ltd medical director Rebekah Doran said with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 now present in New Zealand, people should get fully vaccinated to help prevent a community outbreak in Tokoroa.
‘‘In the event of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Tokoroa we’ll work together with all the local healthcare providers to ensure people get the care they need, and we’ll keep bringing in doctors from around the region to help out.
‘‘Our focus will always be on ensuring we work together as a practice and a community to prioritise those patients with the highest need, to ensure people get the care they need,’’ Doran said.
Other Tokoroa medical practices approached by the South Waikato News declined to comment.
Butcher said there had been a few changes to the way the Tokoroa Medical Centre would be operating in the short term.
‘‘A doctor will discuss the patient’s concerns during a phone triage call to decide on the most appropriate way to meet their needs.’’
Butcher said some GP consultations at the practice will be available for people who need to be seen face to face and they are also booking virtual consultations.
‘‘If patients don’t have a smartphone device or internet, they can have a virtual consultation from one of the rooms at the practice.
‘‘Our awesome nurses will be delivering their normal services.’’
He said patients can use their patient portal to access medical records, view test results and order repeat prescriptions and that anyone needing access can contact their reception team to set up on the portal.
‘‘. . . We are still here for the Tokoroa community. We’re just doing things a bit differently to ensure people continue to get the rightmedical care when they need it.’’ Justin Butcher PinnacleMidlands Health acting chief executive