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With the long weekend in our sights, Cantabrians are
being encouraged to be prepared for their health care needs
over Labour Weekend.
Demand remains high for urgent
and afterhours care across all our facilities in Canterbury
including Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department
(ED) and Ashburton Hospital’s Acute Assessment Unit (AAU).
If you do not require emergency or acute care, there will be
long waiting times as they remain very busy.
“I need
to emphasise that if you are very unwell, we do want to see
you so you can get the care you need. In a life-threatening
emergency, call 111,” says Becky Hickmott, Senior
Responsible Officer for Seasonal Pressures.
“However
most coughs, colds, viruses and fevers can be safely treated
at home with over the counter medications, fluids and
rest.
“It’s important to seek advice early – if
you have been feeling unwell and you think you need an
appointment to see a nurse or doctor, phone your normal
healthcare provider today. Your local pharmacy can also
advise on treatment for a range of minor illnesses and
injuries.
“Our Urgent Care facilities, ED and AAU
are under continued pressure and this will assist us to care
for those who are very unwell over the
weekend.”
“Please also remember to stock up on
prescriptions if you need them before the weekend. Don’t
leave it until the last minute. Most repeat prescriptions
can be organised by phoning your general practice team, and
some enable repeat requests through their websites, neither
of which will require an appointment with the doctor,” she
says.
“For free health advice over the weekend,
please phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 any time of the day
or night and they can advise you on what to do and where to
go if you do need to be seen urgently. Parents and
caregivers can call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 at any time
to talk with a Plunket nurse if they have unwell infants or
children.
For people who don’t have a doctor and are
new to Canterbury, it’s important they register with a
general practice team in order to have the best access to
health services. If you aren’t already enrolled with a
general practice team, you can find one here https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/gps-accident-urgent-medical-care/canterbury/.
© Scoop Media
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