A Dunedin woman who was asked to wait more than a month to see her GP says her experience reflects a “broken” health system.
The woman, who declined to be named, said she booked with her health provider in Dunedin and was told there was a five-week wait.
“Seriously, what are we to do to get in to see a doctor when we are ill?
“I think this is out of hand. I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
The woman said she “always” received great treatment from her GP and his nurses, and she realised it was not entirely their fault.
“I get it, they’re stretched and they’re trying to do the best they can within the system. But this is a case of the system not working.”
She had tried other GPs, and had similarly long waiting times.
“I’m not the sort of person who goes for anything.
“You know, people get booked up and things happen. But to wait five weeks means that the government is not putting enough money and effort into getting doctors and nurses and places where we can go to get our healthcare without having to wait until we’re really very ill.”
WellSouth chief executive Andrew Swanson-Dobbs acknowledged the pressures.
“Winter is always busier, and most practices hold back some appointments so that urgent cases can be seen on the day or within the week.
“However, like many parts of New Zealand, we are aware that there are pressures in Otago and Southland, and some people are experiencing longer wait times than they would like.”
Asked about capacity issues for GPs in the South, Mr Swanson-Dobbs said at any one time, some practices might have “closed books” or waiting lists for new patients, and this could fluctuate depending on staffing, demand and local circumstances.”
Labour MP for Taieri Ingrid Leary said this woman’s story was repeated throughout the country.
“Stories like this — and what I’m hearing daily from locals and especially seniors — show people are waiting more than a month for GP appointments.
“This often forces them into Dunedin Hospital’s Emergency Department. No wonder their health issues are getting worse as they wait, and it also helps explain the long wait times at ED.”
Earlier this week, leaked Health NZ data suggested fewer than half of patients who turn up at ED in Dunedin were treated within six hours, among the worst wait times in New Zealand.
Dozens of Otago Daily Times readers shared their stories about long wait times at the ED; some had to wait over 10 hours to be seen, while an ED nurse explained the conditions were “often unbearable” for staff and patients.
Last month, it was announced that Dunedin would be one of the first cities in New Zealand to get a comprehensive 24-hour after-hours medical service by the end of the year.