Health NZ co-director rural health Rachel Pearce said Whangārei was a “priority location” for expanded urgent care, with planning and service design underway.
“We are working to extend hours at Whangārei incrementally over the next year, transitioning to a full 24/7 service in mid-2027 … pending the conclusion of contract negotiations, we expect extended hours to be delivered in the coming months.”
Pearce said delivering a sustainable 24/7 urgent care service required careful planning to meet the long-term needs of Northland.
Workforce availability was a key consideration, with Health NZ continuing to invest in initiatives to grow, recruit, train and retain the health workforce, she said.
White Cross Whangārei referred questions about the expanded urgent care hours to Health NZ.
White Cross Whangārei is so busy over winter that queues of patients can stretch out the doors. Photo / NZME
But clinic manager Daniel Giardina was open about the service experiencing high demand in July, because of the usual winter peak.
From July 13 to 17, White Cross Whangārei treated an average of 126 patients a day, peaking on Monday, July 13, with 145 patients, he said.
The numbers remained high for all of July, with an average wait time of two to four hours, Giardina said.
“It is not unusual for White Cross in Whangārei to experience lines forming both before and during our opening hours.
“Mornings are a significant challenge for the service as we need to balance patient safety and our book-in procedures.”
The high demand at White Cross Whangārei coincided with peaks at Whangārei Hospital ED, where staff feared someone could die in the waiting room.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says the expanded urgent and after-hours care is about providing more accessible healthcare close to home. Photo / Mark Mitchell
During busy times, the ED gave non-urgent patients the option of a voucher to visit White Cross for free, at a cost to Health NZ of nearly $100,000 a year.
Giardina said there were a combination of factors driving demand at the urgent care service, including the seasonal aspect of winter ailments and limited options for after-hours care in Northland.
But he also pointed to the pressure on GPs in Northland, including extended wait times to secure an appointment with the family doctor and the growing number of patients not enrolled with a local primary care provider.
An acute and urgent care service has already started in Dargaville, where a doctor shortage meant Dargaville Hospital operated without doctors overnight.
The injury and illness facility, jointly run by Dargaville Medical Centre and Health NZ, opens seven days a week from 8am to 8.30pm, with fees costing up to $36 for a Kiwi adult.
Patients who have a life-threatening condition should call an ambulance on 111 and go straight to Whangārei Hospital. Photo / NZME
Giardina advised patients who were unwell or had an injury to try to see their GP in the first instance.
Health NZ also said patients with non-urgent concerns could ring Healthline on 0800-611-116 for free to speak with a registered nurse.
Giardina said non-urgent patients who couldn’t get to their GP could use 24/7 online GP care Bettr, which was supported by White Cross clinicians.
Anyone who needed to see someone in person should come into White Cross and speak to the receptionist, he said.
Anyone with a life-threatening illness or injury should call an ambulance on 111 and go straight to Whangārei Hospital’s ED, he said.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.