Hato Hone St John is preparing for the winter health demand surge with a plan to manage increased pressure on the health system. Dr. Damian Tomic, Deputy Chief Executive, says the goal is to continue responding to emergencies while managing the increased demand. However, he anticipates that some people, especially those with non-urgent conditions, may experience longer wait times for an ambulance.
To address this, Hato Hone St John has developed initiatives to treat patients at home and use community pathways when possible. This will help to safely and effectively direct patient flow into emergency departments. The plan also includes improving how lower-priority calls are managed. For example, a nurse or paramedic may call back those with minor issues like cold and flu symptoms to provide further assessment or advice over the phone.
In regions with telehealth services, ambulance crews may use these for consultations instead of transporting patients to the Emergency Department. This supports community-based patient management. Hato Hone St John is also working with Health New Zealand-Te Whatu Ora to monitor and respond to demand spikes and potential delays.
Dr. Tomic emphasizes the importance of New Zealanders understanding how and when to access healthcare during winter. Options include their own GP, Healthline, and local pharmacies. For emergencies, people should call 111. Calls will be triaged by clinical teams to ensure patients get the help they need when they need it.
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