The 24/7 help service, Healthline, believes it can do more to ease pressure in hospital emergency departments by helping with patient assessments. It has recently published research by Auckland University, based on the Midlands region, covering Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Taranaki ,Tairāwhiti and parts of Hawkes Bay, that suggested calls to the service prevent close to 23,000 unnecessary ED visits each year. Already ambulance call centres can refer an emergency contact on to Healthline if they feel that is more appropriate. The emergency telehealth service believes it can have a greater role to help ease the burden in EDs. Dr Ruth Large is an emergency doctor and The Chief Clinical Officer of Whakarongorau Aotearoa, the organisation running the government funded free Healthline service. She joins Kathryn to talk about how the service can assist hospital emergency services run better.
A reception desk at Waikato Hospital. Photo: Supplied/ Waikato Hospital
