New approach aims to reduce Emergency Department wait times

New approach aims to reduce Emergency Department wait times

Wairarapa DHB is piloting a new system that aims to reduce the amount of time patients spend waiting to see a doctor.

Interim Director Wairarapa Health Services Jill Stringer says the new system involves triage nurses assessing a patient’s condition to see if they should be treated at the Emergency Department (ED) or referred to their primary care provider.

“We still get a large number of patients who could be effectively, and often more quickly, treated by their GP,” says Ms Stringer.

“The pilot includes a referral process to redirect appropriate patients to their GP in a safe, timely and efficient way.”

At this point, only Masterton Medical patients that meet the assessment will be offered a referral to the centre. Masterton Medical has around 80 per cent of people in the greater Masterton area registered with them. An appointment at Masterton Medical will be arranged for patients before they leave ED. People with limited mobility that aren’t accompanied by a support person will be offered assistance to get there.

Charge Nurse Manager Acute Services Jo Wailling says the pilot is in response to patient feedback and ongoing large patient numbers.

“Despite meeting Ministry of Health targets for wait times, we still get comments from patients who feel they spend too long waiting to see a doctor. We’ve taken these on board and are working with other local health care providers to address this.”

Mrs Wailling says the pilot also seeks to encourage people to consider going to their GP first before coming to ED.

“Our ED team sees about 17,000 people each year – that’s around 3,000 more than we were built to handle. We’re hoping the new approach will help people to think about their GP as their first point of contact for all health care requirements unless it is an emergency.”

Ms Stringer says patients will continue to get the level of health care they need for their condition.

“Patients requiring critical or urgent treatment will continue to be seen by the DHB’s Emergency Department,” she says. “By working initially with Masterton Medical, we’re endeavouring to ensure people get to see the health care professional that’s best suited to their needs as quickly as possible.”

The pilot will run during week days for a month, when a review will assess whether to extend the approach to other primary care providers. Outside of Masterton Medical’s standard week day hours, people can contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or phone the on-call GP overnight by phoning their usual practice number if they require non-critical after hours health care or advice.

ENDS

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