The polytechnic’s move to replace its in-person clinics with telehealth has been slammed by staff worried it will leave students without access to quality healthcare services.
The axed service is staffed by three GPs, a nurse and a practice manager.
In announcing the decision, the polytechnic told students they could go to Dunedin’s urgent GP service in Filleul St if they needed an in-person appointment.
This blindsided Dunedin Urgent Doctors, which said the first it heard of it was after reading the email sent to students.
General manager Adam O’Byrne said Urgent Doctors did not have the capacity to take on large numbers of polytechnic students.
"We are not in a position to substitute for a GP service because we’re an urgent care centre and after-hours care.
"We haven’t been in any negotiations. The first time we heard about it was when they emailed their staff and students."
Dr O’Byrne said the confusion might have arisen from the fact Urgent Doctors had always been accessible in an after-hours capacity.
"We cover after-hours, but we’re not covering the day hours when the GP service is required."
He said Urgent Doctors was operating at close to capacity at present, and while it would try to see anyone who presented themselves, it was unsure if it could handle an influx of polytechnic students during daytime hours.
Primary healthcare network WellSouth also expressed concern about the lack of communication, and the feasibility of using Urgent Doctors.
"I am concerned for the students at the polytechnic what access to healthcare they will get from these changes [to telehealth].
"Instead, I would encourage any polytechnic student to enrol with a registered GP to be assured of quality care."
The comments come after Otago Polytechnic deputy executive director Shaun Tāhau reassured students and staff in an email the vast majority of medical issues would be able to be handled over the phone.
"If you need to be referred for a physical check-up after your telehealth appointment, you’ll be able to attend the Urgent Doctors in Dunedin (or a drop-in clinic wherever they are located in New Zealand).
"We currently refer students to the Urgent Doctors in Dunedin when our healthcare service is unavailable."
He said the polytech would cover the cost of the Dunedin-based Urgent Doctors appointments to remove any financial barriers.
Dr Tāhau said the change to the student health provision would also ensure more distance students had access to high-quality healthcare services.
But Otago Polytechnic union delegate Craig West said he and many of the staff were "highly sceptical" of the changes.
"There’s no more physical presence, so there will be no more dropping in for students.
"Students will have to use the phone number to get the telehealth people and I suppose hope that they get directed to someone as quickly as they can."
Mr West said he was unsure how certain illnesses could be diagnosed through the telehealth system.
"To be blunt, how are they going to diagnose STIs? And surely mental health issues are best dealt with face to face."
Mr West said staff were informed of the switch last week, although there had been a proposal last month.
"Many of them were pretty shocked.
"They’re concerned, especially about students that can’t be seen straight away, especially with people with mental health issues."
In response to follow-up questions from the Otago Daily Times Dr Tāhau said the polytech would meet management of Dunedin’s Urgent Doctors as well as Mr Swanson-Dobbs to discuss any concerns and recommended procedures.
