Yesterday I shared the first of my Subscriber Stories, where KC* recounted a shocking experience at Waikato Hospital after being rushed there by ambulance.
It’s tragic how poor our public health system has become. Frequent stories from family and friends sadly highlight the lack of NZ trained staff, lack of funds, lack of facilities, long wait times for both routine and emergency care, and money needing to be spent on security due to violence and theft. (But if you have medical insurance you can see a specialist promptly)
At a political level the government that puts priority into rebuilding the health system would win over the people - a healthy and happier population, and jobs for both skilled medical staff and unskilled support staff. Better that than funding the swindle train.
Two Doctors based at Church Corner, Riccarton, we lived probably about 2kms away. I used to get regular streptococcal throat and tonsillitis and can remember the Doctor coming to our home in the morning on various occasions. I did go to the surgery as well, Dr Carter used to sit behind his desk smoking his pipe.
I’m not surprised to see long wait times for appointments. I live in an area where actually finding a Dr with space to take you is almost impossible. I do wonder though that a big part of the issue are GPS who work very limited hours, I lived with my father in a small Western Bay of Plenty township that had a medical centre with around 8 or so GPS around 2015 - 2018. He had chronic COPD and needed regular medical attention. There was only one Dr in that practice who worked 5 days a week, my dad’s one worked two full and one half day. The half day was as emergency cover, so couldn’t be booked. The GP was not an old guy. So why not full time?
It’s tragic how poor our public health system has become. Frequent stories from family and friends sadly highlight the lack of NZ trained staff, lack of funds, lack of facilities, long wait times for both routine and emergency care, and money needing to be spent on security due to violence and theft. (But if you have medical insurance you can see a specialist promptly)
At a political level the government that puts priority into rebuilding the health system would win over the people - a healthy and happier population, and jobs for both skilled medical staff and unskilled support staff. Better that than funding the swindle train.
Stop paying the maoris bollions and prioritize the health system for all
I’ve just read that 1 billion dollars goes to university tuition and research each year in NZ. Just found a better use - our Health system.
That would be a much better use of 1 billion dollars.
Who can remember the "good old days"
Two Doctors based at Church Corner, Riccarton, we lived probably about 2kms away. I used to get regular streptococcal throat and tonsillitis and can remember the Doctor coming to our home in the morning on various occasions. I did go to the surgery as well, Dr Carter used to sit behind his desk smoking his pipe.
Haha, what a legend!
I’m not surprised to see long wait times for appointments. I live in an area where actually finding a Dr with space to take you is almost impossible. I do wonder though that a big part of the issue are GPS who work very limited hours, I lived with my father in a small Western Bay of Plenty township that had a medical centre with around 8 or so GPS around 2015 - 2018. He had chronic COPD and needed regular medical attention. There was only one Dr in that practice who worked 5 days a week, my dad’s one worked two full and one half day. The half day was as emergency cover, so couldn’t be booked. The GP was not an old guy. So why not full time?