Taupō GPs encouraging people to keep with health care needs.
Taupō GP Dr Bronwen Thomas says Taupō GPs are open and are encouraging people to keep up with all their normal health care needs.
“If patients have a clinical problem or need a prescription they should still ring up their GP as they normally would and we will help them find the right way to resolve it.
Dr Thomas says GPs are managing both routine and urgent care. The full GP service is operational even though much if it is happening in a virtual space.
"As far as acute medical problems go, we definitely want patients to contact us as promptly as normal. So, if patients have an injury, a worrying symptom for example, a pain, a lump, a change with their bowels or their breathing we want to know. We will still manage the problem, send them for any tests they need and refer them on to the hospital specialists when required.
“It may all look a bit different and some routine things may be postponed if safe to do so, but, we are still here doing our job as always,” she says.
Bronwen says that early on at the start of the lockdown, GPS did have to change some pre-booked face to face appointments to phone calls, to ensure not too many people came to the practice. This was done to keep staff and patients safe. Some tests and reviews were postponed where it was safe to do so.
“We are running phone, video and face to face (with doctor or nurse approval) consultations for both urgent and routine care. We will help patients with the safest and easiest option for their individual problem.”
Dr Thomas says GP practices have been working hard to ensure practices have measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and patients from any COVID-19 exposure.
She says the local Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC) also provides a referral option to GPs for patients with possible COVID-19 i.e. fever or respiratory symptoms; runny nose, sore throat or cough, who need a clinical assessment and swabs.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.1% Hmm, maybe?
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11% Yes!
Celebrate in Style: Craft Your Own Decor with Testpots
Create handcrafted celebrations using Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
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