Health – Healthcare under pressure

The Covid-19 Omicron outbreak has placed a lot of strain on health care teams.

Under normal circumstances, it is rare for doctors or nurses to call in sick – they tend to work with a significant vocational commitment to the needs of patients. But these times are not the norm.

In our primary care workplaces anyone with any viral symptoms at all must stay home – even if the RAT test is negative. This means that the pressures on the remaining team are incredibly high.

All this is happening at a time when patients need us more than ever. So, if your needs can be met with a virtual visit – then please use a virtual visit. It prevents the spread of illness, and it allows our workers who are stuck at home to still serve patients. Of course some conditions can’t be assessed or treated virtually. 

There are some key things everyone should know: If you test positive, isolate at home with your household. If each one of us does our individual part to prevent the spread, it helps everyone, reducing the rate of transmission and the peak volume of the case load. • Use click and collect with the grocery stores so you get what you need but remain in your car. • Many pharmacies are delivering prescriptions and care packages to Covid-19 positive patients for free. So far we know that Unichem Weiti Creek, Unichem Red Beach, and Unichem Whangaparāoa are among those offering this service. • Most people who are double vaccinated will experience mild, cold like symptoms. Those with a mild case do not need to see a doctor. The Ministry of Health has resources for self-care and clinical advice online: https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/if-you-have-covid-19/

You can also call Healthline 24/7 on 0800 358 5453 and follow their advice.

You can order free rapid antigen test now online for home testing. https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/

If you have more than a mild case, you can book a virtual visit with your GP to help decide if you need to go to hospital or not. If you are tested as Covid positive, these virtual visits are free of charge.  

The general practice office has little to offer patients who are severely ill with Covid 19, as there are no ventilators or overnight care facilities, so if your case is severe, go to hospital as soon as possible.

It is true that everyone the world over is sick and tired of hearing about Covid-19, and having their lives and choices impacted by this disease. We all have to do our best to help each other get through it.

As the backbone of the medical centre, I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of our reception team. They have literally been at the forefront of the pandemic and shown a steely resilience during some tough times. The medical centre could simply not run without them. They continue to offer friendly service despite having to screen patients, manage challenging situations, often whilst wearing full PPE in very hot conditions.  

The reception staff are a highly skilled group of individuals. They not only offer friendly service, but are attentive towards patients and families, manage hundreds of bookings and take many phone calls. They also alert the nurse if someone is looking very unwell in the waiting room.  They advise patients of wait times (this is not always easy).  To do this job you need excellent communication skills, the ability to multitask and to maintain a cool head during busy periods.   

So next time you go into the medical centre, be friendly to our reception staff.  A smile can make a big difference. The work they do is absolute gold and I hope that everyone recognises this.  They play a very important and valuable role in the smooth running of the medical centre.  

Editor’s note: This is Dr Isabelle Duck’s final column for the paper. Hibiscus Matters thanks her for all her contributions over the past year or so.