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Wednesday, Sept 17, 2014
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Free health clinic closed BY TONI WILLIAMS
TONI.W@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
The free Ashburton health clinic has closed after becoming a victim of its own success, with demand outstripping the ability of its sole doctor to cope. Charlotte Cox started the clinic at Hakatere Marae in May, opening its doors for three hours each Friday morning. Her motivation was a desire to fill the health gap for people who were unable, or could not afford, to register with a GP. What she
hadn’t counted on was the depth of need. Dr Cox ran the clinic on her day off but found the demands of patient time, combined with the follow-up paperwork, too much for a sole practitioner. It was not uncommon to have 12 people attend the clinic marae, spokesperson Janet Benfell said. “We are a bit stymied by overwork, plus Dr Cox hasn’t got the equipment she would like to have,” Mrs Benfell said.
Without a broadband connection, Dr Cox was forced to take patient notes by hand, later transcribing them into a medical programme at her town clinic. The marae had just arranged connection to broadband internet and Mrs Benfell said this could help reduce the doctor’s time. Rather than being charged for their doctor’s visit, patients paid koha – what they could in cash or kind. Canterbury Rural Health had
been alerted to the clinic and the need it was meeting in the community and was aware it had closed because a sole practitioner could not cope with the work. There had been no response. “She is doing a job they (Canterbury Rural Health) should be providing for really, because the need is there.” Most of the clinic’s clients had difficulty accessing doctors in town; were either not registered, could not register, were unable to get an appointment or
could not afford a doctor’s visit, she said. The informal delivery of the marae service where no appointments were necessary appealed to many of its users. Most, however, were in urgent need of health care similar to the level of need seen at a weekend surgery, Mrs Benfell said. While there was a clear need for the clinic, she was unsure when or if it would resume. The service also assisted people through the process of registering with a doctor. Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!
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