GP visit urged for 'less serious conditions'

The Roxburgh Medical Centre is to lose its two doctors and is on the hunt for a replacement....
Emergency department presentations at the Frankton hospital are up 25% on last year, making it the busiest year to date. PHOTO: ODT FILES
Queenstown visitors and residents with "less serious medical conditions" are being encouraged to see a GP before going to Lakes District Hospital.

Emergency department presentations at the Frankton hospital are up 25% on last year, making it the busiest year to date.

Hospital operations manager Janeen Holmes said skiing and snowboarding soft tissue injuries and fractures continued to place pressure on the department, and the visitor population at this time of year added to the ED workload.

However, there had also been a "significant" increase in less serious presentations, for example, coughs, colds and "minor fractures", which could have been treated by a GP.

The increase in volume could result in longer wait times at the hospital and place "tremendous stress" on resources, she said.

Walk-ins were accepted at Frankton's Wakatipu Medical Centre, in McBride St, and at Mountain Lakes Medical Centre at Frankton's Five Mile.

The Queenstown Medical Centre, in Isle St, had an accident and medical clinic and was well-placed for visitors presenting with less serious medical issues for treatment.

Chief executive Dr Richard Macharg said the walk-in clinic was open daily - from 8am until 8pm weekdays, and from 9am to 8pm on weekends - and could provide accident and urgent medical care for visitors and those not registered with the practice.

It could also provide X-rays during office hours and take blood samples.

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