Some Southland Hospital Emergency Department (ED) patients are now being redirected for free same day consultations at general practices.

The new Emergency Q (EQ) voucher system, developed in September 2022 with WellSouth Primary Health Network, is designed to take pressure off the Southland ED.

289 patients used the Monday to Friday service in its first four months (Sept-Dec 2022).

Amongst the most common presentations were wound complication (18.6%), cough (8.3%), earache symptoms (5.8%) and skin-related complaints (5.8%).

Te Whatu Ora General Manager for Southland Hospital Simon Donlevy said the EQ system meant people with non-emergency concerns were seen sooner, while freeing up emergency clinicians for other patients.  

“This has been an important initiative between Southland Hospital, WellSouth and Invercargill general practices,” Donlevy said.  

West Invercargill Health Practice Manager Joseph Davidson, said that patients transferred to the practice have been very appreciative to get the care they need without having to wait in the ED.

“The patients we have seen are very happy to be referred through EQ,” he said.