Monday 3 October 2022Health news3 minutes to read
Urgent patient stabilisation and observation services provided by Buller Health’s Foote Ward team will continue to temporarily be provided at a reduced capacity.
In early-September, we anticipated that the acute care services would be back up and running 24/7 from today, Monday, 3 October. Unfortunately, we need to continue operating in a reduced capacity due to on-going staffing pressures, says Holly Mason, Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast’s Director of Nursing.
For the time being, the following temporary services will continue to be provided:
“While we appreciate that this situation is not ideal, we really value the Buller community’s on-going understanding and support of this situation. These changes were introduced in early-August so that urgent acute care as well as routine primary care to the wider-Westport community could be maintained.
“Staffing pressures are not just confined to the West Coast but are being experienced both nationally and internationally. We have an active recruitment strategy and our recruitment team is working hard to fill the current vacancies across the West Coast. Alongside local recruitment initiatives, Te Whatu Ora is currently running a global campaign for nurses to work in New Zealand.
“If you or a member of your whānau needs emergency or acute care these services are still available 24/7 – they are just being provided in a different way. You can continue to help us out by booking your routine health care appointments early,” says Ms Mason.
Remember, if you are injured or experiencing severe symptoms, it’s critical that you call 111.
ENDS
Buller HealthGeneral PracticeRural healthService interruptionsupdateurgent careWest CoastWestport
Page last updated: 3 October 2022
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