July 13, 2023
Phone service could relieve hospital overload
Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau chief medical officer of health, Andrew Connolly, is urging people to use services like Healthline before heading for the hospital.
He says with a lot of colds and infections out in the community, emergency departments and GP clinics are under the pump.
Pharmacies can be a good source of information and advice, and Healthline is a free calling service which has Maori clinicians available if people want that option.
“This service gives fantastic advice and often can reassure people that they don’t need to come up to the hospital straight away or give them advice on what symptoms to look out for Also of course highlight the vaccinations and try to keep warm and try to keep the kids dry and washing our hands and all those simple health measures,” Dr Connolly says.
Healthline – Whakarongorau can be rung free on 0800611116 24 hours a day.