The Central Otago after-hours medical service based in Clyde is defending itself against ‘‘misinformed'' criticism its costs are too high.
The non-profit service Central Otago After Hours Inc has operated 6pm to 8am daily at Dunstan Hospital since November.
It is the result of the centralisation of after-hours medical care in the district.
Prices for New Zealand adults are $92 before 11pm and $170 between the hours of 11pm and 8am. Accident Compensation Corporation injuries are $50 and children under 13 are free.
On a private Cromwell Buy and Sell web page a commenter who used the service said the post-11pm price was ‘‘disgusting''. Another commenter who also used it described the prices as ‘‘truly absurd''.
Central Otago After Hours Inc chairman Greg White said the social media criticism seemed ‘‘misinformed''.
Prices were based on the fee Wellsouth and other Primary Health Organisations paid doctors for seeing children under 13 at night, he said.
‘‘This was felt to be a reasonable fee by the Ministry of Health, which is pretty conservative in its funding, to say the least.''
Few were charged the top price, as most patients were seen before 11pm, and many were children, he said.
Patients often had serious medical problems which took more than an hour to treat, he said.
‘‘It is always disappointing to receive criticism for an excellent service staffed by dedicated and widely experienced doctors and support staff who have spent months setting up the service to ensure the region has adequate medical care in the absence of an Emergency Department.
‘‘As far as I know, we have received no formal complaints and the service has been very well received by those who actually need it.''
It had 15 doctors on its roster and saw an average of three patients per night, he said. The service ‘‘sped up patient treatment times a lot'' compared to the old system. Previously, practices in Cromwell, Alexandra and Roxburgh ran their own after-hours services.
There were free Emergency Departments in Dunedin and Frankton for people who could not pay for the Central Otago service, he said.
Prices for a similar service in Wanaka are $200 before 11pm and $280 after 11pm, with a minimum half-hour charge.
Dunedin's primary after-hours service, Urgent Doctors & Accident Centre, which is open until 10pm, costs $83 for a non-subsidised adult.
A 1500-strong patient petition opposed the Central Otago service before its creation.
Cromwell Medical Centre sided with petitioners and chose not to be part of its roster.
