We continue to work with our TransAlpine colleagues in Canterbury, and many services and departments span both Coasts. This means we can draw on the best specialists available, either through appointments on the Coast, or helping people get appointments in Canterbury. We are focused on providing as many services as possible on the Coast wherever possible in line with our goal to provide more care closer to home. This saves people’s time and does wonders for their well-being. We are continuing to increase the use of telehealth, both transalpine with our Canterbury colleagues and up and down the Coast itself – where it saves people’s time and means less travel and improved access to specialist advice.
Our health system continues to focus on the person at the centre of care, in the middle of our health system. This means we need to continue to be creative to find new ways of working that are flexible and sustainable and ensure that people receive the right care at the right time provided by the right person. Whether it’s a visit to the general practice team or a call to the after-hours triage nurse for free health advice, there is no wrong door to enter our health system and we constantly strive to improve waiting times and ensure our care pathways put people at the centre of everything we do.