New ‘hybrid’ accident and medical clinic opens in Pāpāmoa

SECTOR UPDATE - Consult365

Today a new type of acute care clinic opened at 3 Palm Springs Boulevard, Pāpāmoa. Dubbed a ‘hybrid’ clinic because patients are treated in-person but the clinic also leverages telehealth.

This is the first bricks and mortar clinic to be opened by award-winning telehealth provider Emergency Consult. And it’s the first hybrid accident and medical in Aotearoa.

Nursing staff take the lead in this new model. The clinic has opened with more than 30 staff comprising Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Extended Care Paramedics. The clinical team is supported remotely by Emergency Consult’s extensive network of Emergency Medicine Specialists – and in situ by an Administration and Health Care Assistant team.

Emergency Consult CEO Jenni Falconer says “By leveraging telehealth this way we’re able to provide high quality hands-on care and also access expert emergency doctors from right here in the Bay.”

Upon arrival at the clinic, you’ll first be triaged by a Registered Nurse (RN). You can then expect to be led into a private consult room where you’ll be seen and treated by a Nurse Practitioner or Extended Care Paramedic - or remotely by Emergency Medicine Doctor with assistance from the RN.

The Consult365 Pāpāmoa Accident and Medical Walk-in Clinic is open 7-days from 8am to midnight.

Falconer says “Our intention is to provide 24-hour care in the near future. But this is a new model of care. So we’re taking our time, and getting it right, before we extend the hours.

“We hope this will be the blueprint for nurse-led clinics across Aotearoa. There are so many communities, like Pāpāmoa, that are in desperate need of more healthcare options. Providing remote access to emergency doctors in those regions is one way we can help ease the pressure.”

Practice Manager Rowena Cook says the service will complement local doctors by providing after- hours and overflow care, “Local residents, visitors, and international tourists alike can access care at Consult365 Pāpāmoa. The clinic will provide episodic care for acute ailments – but we always recommend seeing your regular GP for ongoing continuity of care.”

Marnae Ross, Clinical Nurse Manager, says the clinic is equipped to provide immediate care for a range of injuries and illness, “If it’s not life or limb threatening but you need it seen quickly, you can come to us. We expect to treat condifons such as fractures, wounds, minor burns, sprains, infecfons, gastro upset, bites, sfngs and head injuries on a daily basis.”

Payment is required upfront and fees differ depending on when you present at the clinic and whether CSC or ACC discounts apply. An adult consult between 8am - 8pm will cost you $89 (or $99 ajer 8pm, on weekends and public holidays). A child consult costs $49 regardless of fme of day.

Falconer says that costs are subject to change, “We will confnue to review and refine fees. We’re hoping to access funding that will allow us to provide free care to children in the near future.”

Source: Consult365 media release

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