The afterhours service combines the expertise of three telehealth providers: Practice Plus, Emergency Consult and Reach Aotearoa with general practitioners, emergency management specialists, registered nurses, kaiāwhina (care navigators), and support staff providing same day appointments and consultations.
Neil Bateup, Rural Support Trust National Chair says health issues can add to stressors on farmers and growers and access to services are often limited by time and location. The Trust is celebrating the new service.
"Ka Ora's afterhours service helps ensure our rural communities can access health care when they need and are able to and we encourage our rural communities to make use of the service and not delay getting any health concerns checked out," he says.
The service is accessible for people who are enrolled with a Rural Medical Practice, live in a rural area, or are visiting a rural area.
The service kicks in from 5pm every weekday, and is 24 hours on weekends. General practice doctors and nurse practitioners are on hand for consultations between 5pm to 10pm while emergency doctors are on call overnight between 10pm to 8am.
Appointments for under 14s are free, and those on Community Services Card or who are 65 years and over will pay $19.50. The service is subsidised by Te Whatu Ora but a patient co-payment will be charged for consultations with a doctor.
"The rural health sector has told us that the combined pressure of workforce shortages and unsustainable after-hours rosters mean that this service is needed to support the well-being of people living rurally," says Te Whatu Ora's National Director Commissioning, Abbe Anderson.
"The service will enhance the care already provided by rural health teams, working with existing health providers to offer additional capacity and continuity of care."
How to access the service
Call 0800 2 KA ORA (0800 252 672)
Hours: Monday to Friday: 5pm to 8am, Weekends: 24 hours
If you have an existing account with your registered practice, you can use this to login into Ka Ora Telecare on the website. Find out more at kaora.co.nz.