Waiheke Island’s only after-hours medical clinic, the Oranga Urgent After Hours clinic, has closed suddenly, leaving many residents concerned. Patients were informed last Friday that the clinic, located in the Waiheke Medical Centre, would no longer be available on weekends or after 5 PM on weekdays.
The Piritahi Hau Ora Trust, which operates the clinic, did not provide comments and referred inquiries to Auckland PHO. The health authority, Te Whatu Ora, mentioned that they had plans to renew their contract with the clinic but would not comment on the closure decision.
Local residents were caught off-guard by this news and expressed confusion over the lack of communication about why the clinic shut down. Nearby medical centers are advising patients to use telehealth, contact Healthline, or call 111 for urgent issues.
Jessica Culpan, a long-time resident, shared that the community feels anxious, especially families with young children. She mentioned that she often relied on the after-hours service for her family’s needs and is now left wondering about the reasons behind the closure.
Rob Kay, a former doctor on Waiheke, warned that patients might be at risk without local after-hours care. Previously, patients could call for advice and visit an on-call doctor, but now assessments will mainly be done by overstretched ambulance staff. This could result in longer waits for treatment, especially for serious conditions.
He pointed out that medical emergencies, like injuries or asthma attacks in children, are common on the island, especially during busy periods. Without an urgent care service, it is unclear how ambulances will manage the increased demand.
Te Whatu Ora is looking for long-term solutions to provide after-hours medical care for the Waiheke community. St John ambulance has also been approached for comments on the situation.
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