Updates of Ngāti Porou Response to COVID-19
From Wednesday 1 April, Coast communities will have their own Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC) providing immediate support for patients with respiratory conditions. The Ngati Porou Hauora CBAC is based at Te Puia Springs Hospital and will operate on a 24 hours basis.
Last Thursday the CBAC servicing the Gisborne community opened at the War Memorial Theatre. Both the Te Puia Springs and Gisborne CBACs have been recently established to provide a place for patients having breathing difficulties or showing signs of respiratory illnesses(such as pneumonia) to be assessed by a doctor.
Under the current Level 4 Covid-19 lock down, the majority of patient consultations are taking place over the phone to abide with social distancing measures. However for patients with respiratory issues, there is a greater need for kanohi ki te kanohi assessments to be conducted,to help identify what further treatment is required.
Rose Kahaki, CEO of Ngati Porou Hauora, says the process to be assessed at the Te Puia Springs CBAC follows the same protocols as other CBACs that have been set up in other regions recently.
“Call your local Hauora clinic in the first instance and the GP will determine whether you need to be seen by the CBAC. If it’s after hours however, contact Te Puia Springs hospital and one of our clinical staff can make the referral.”
Dr Willem Jordaan, GP and Clinical Leader for the NPH Puhi Kaiti clinic in Gisborne has been redeployed to run the Te Puia Springs CBAC. Dr Jordaan will join the East Coast team who are currently providing GP services to the five Hauora clinics on the Coast and in Kaiti. We have also accepted an offer of assistance from Dr Nathan Joseph, former chair of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (the Maori Medical Practitioners Association), who is taking leave from his West Auckland GP practice to assist Ngati Porou Hauora.
The CBAC is the latest addition to the services Ngati Porou Hauora is providing as part of their Te Mate Karauna (Corona virus) response preparations. Last week the Covid-19 test drive through opened at Te Puia Hospital. Appointments are made for people who have been referred by Health Line or a NPH GP. To have the swab test you do not need to get out of your car, as a nurse will conduct the swabbing through your car window.
• If you think you may have Covid-19 symptoms, please call the Healthline number 0800 358 5453. If you can’t get through to the Healthline, call your local NPH health clinic or Te Puia Hospital (06) 864 6803.
• The Covid 19 test drive-through at Te Puia Springs is open from 9am to 4pm every day.
NB: No walk ins. If you turn up without an appointment you will be turned away. If you or your whanau are unable to get to a swabbing centre, your GP will make alternative arrangements for testing. If you require assistance with transport for Covid-19 testing, please contact Te Puia Hospital (06) 864 6803.
• The Ngati Porou Hauora CBAC at Te Puia Springs is open 24 hours via referral from your GP. If you are having trouble breathing or showing respiratory illness symptoms, please contact your local Hauora clinic for a referral. If it’s after hours, call Te Puia Springs Hospital (06) 864 6803. If you live in Gisborne, contact your local GP or Healthline 0800 358 5453.
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