Phone your GP day or night for medical
advice this holiday season
Phone your GP day or night for
healthcare advice is the message going
out to Bay of Plenty residents this
Christmas and New Year.
A nurse triage service answering after-
hours calls for all 30 of the Western
Bay’s GP Practices has been running
successfully for over two years and
was already in place for Eastern
Bay practices prior to that.
“The call could save you time and money. For
example, you could save yourself a potentially long
wait in the Emergency Department for an issue
which could be treated at the pharmacy. And if it’s
a simple case of buying medicine over-the-counter
this could save you the cost of a consultation.
“If the issue is a medical emergency
the triage service will be able
to connect patients with an
ambulance,” he says. “It’s a
good idea to save your GP’s
number to your mobile phone
so it’s handy when needed.”
“The service helps people get
fast, effective advice any time
of the day or night,” says Dr Joe
Bourne, a GP for Nga Kakano
Foundation in Te Puke.
“Your GP Practice’s phone number
is the only one you need for medical
advice. If it’s an after-hours call it will
automatically re-direct to a qualified
nurse who will discuss your treatment
options with you.
Those people visiting the
Western Bay of Plenty who are
not registered with a local GP
can access the same service by
calling 0800 367 432584.
Dr Joe Bourne says people
should call their GP day
or night for expert
healthcare advice.
To find out Health Centres and
Pharmacies open in your area during
the holiday period visit https://www.
healthpoint.co.nz/bay-of-plenty/
Mums-to-be and parents focus
for medicine safety
Mums-to-be and parents are being
encouraged to report suspected side
effects as part of a global push to
make medicines safer for everyone.
About 10-percent of patients who are admitted to
hospital each year in New Zealand is due to them
having an Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) from a
medicine.
suspected side effects in children and pregnancy.
“Medicines affect your baby and children in
different ways. Medicines taken when pregnant or
breastfeeding means they may reach your baby.
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s right for
you and your baby.
“When giving your baby or child their medicine,
double check it’s the right medicine in the right
dose, using the right spoon, syringe or device.”
Medwise Clinical Pharmacist Pauline McQuoid
says ADRs can be anything from a mild side effect
to an allergic reaction ranging from skin irritation to
a severe Anaphylaxis.
“It’s really important for people to report
suspected side effects. Reporting side effects
can lead to new warnings for patients, making
medicines safer for everyone.”
This year’s medsafety week is particularly focused
on encouraging parents and caregivers to report
Report it online Need help?
Taken a medicine and feel unwell? You might be
experiencing a side effect - make sure you report it
to the Centre for Adverse Reactions (CARM) online
at https://nzphvc.otago.ac.nz/consumer-reporting/ • For life threatening conditions, severe or
rapidly worsening symptoms or major injuries:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist
When your doctor prescribes medicine
and when you pick this up from your
pharmacist, ASK THEM:
• What is the medicine for?
• What is its name?
• How and when do I take it?
• How long do I need to take it for?
• What could happen if I stop taking it?
• Will it clash with the other medicines I’m
taking?
• What are the side effects of taking this
medicine?
• What should I do if I get these?
Call 111 or go to your nearest (ED) Emergency
Department:
Tauranga Hospital, Cameron Road, Tauranga.
The end of the year is all about family and celebrations – but it
can also be a stressful time.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing can help you and your whānau stay
well during the holidays.
You can introduce any of these actions into your life, any time,
and you will begin to feel the benefits. “Use these ideas to come
up with at least one New Year’s resolution that you can start
using right away. Better still have a discussion with your whānau
and agree on something you can all commit to” says Dr Phil
Shoemack, Medical Officer of Health.
For more information on the Five Ways to Wellbeing visit www.
mentalhealth.org.nz
Need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained
counsellor.
Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE).
Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.
co.nz or online chat.
Samaritans 0800 726 666.