We continue to remain open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, ready to see you. We would like to introduce you to our Clinical Director Dr Peter Woodward. He tells you a little about himself and East Care Urgent Care…
Open 24 hours, we have increased patient safety protocols, with cleaning and protective equipment in order to keep you safe.
Don’t wait if you need care – we have capacity to see you and your family now and we are open 24 hours. We can see you in person at the clinic or via telehealth (phone or video), please contact us on 09 2771516. A telehealth consult means that you will still be receiving the same assessment, critical thinking and decision making expertise from our doctors and or nurses. East Care is equipped to deal with all common health problems including sports, industrial injuries and fracture assessment. No appointment is necessary.
For more information on the Novel Coronavirus, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website.
Due to COVID 19, everything has changed including how we access medical care. This can be a scary thought and it might be causing you some anxiety. Read on to find out how to get the help you need.
Can I still make an appointment?
We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and no appointment is necessary.
If you don’t have any Covid-19 symptoms and want to physically visit us, make sure to follow the usual advice – leave at least two meters between you and anyone else, wash your hands regularly and don’t touch your face. We do consultations in a way to keep all respiratory and possible Covid-19 patients separate from the waiting room which means we see people in isolation rooms or their cars to protect both them and other patients. This ensures a safe environment for all patients and staff. All people entering our clinic are provided masks to wear and sanitise their hands to ensure the clinic stays safe from Covid-19 and we have enhanced cleaning processes of all areas.
Most patients (with or without respiratory symptoms) will be offered a telehealth consult with the doctor prior to coming into the clinic. You will be asked to wait in your car and a text message will be sent to your phone with a link to the telehealth consult. In many cases the doctor will be able to asses you via video and provide prescriptions without you needing to come into the clinic. If you do need to come in for further assessment or treatment you will be given a mask and hand sanitiser and all our staff wear approved personal protection equipment. As we try and see most of our patients outside of the clinic, we can very easily maintain 2m distancing inside if you need to come in.
What if I think I might have coronavirus?
Before you come to visit us, please check whether you have any Covid-19 symptoms here. If you do, please call us on 09 277 1516 for a phone consult. We can provide assessment and a Covid-19 test for you free of charge if you do.
If you are experiencing mild Covid-like symptoms, it is important you self-isolate and stay at home. You should however arrange to come in for an assessment and swab. For general up-to-date advice and if your symptoms get worse, please phone us on 09 277 1516.
What if I have an accident?
We specialise in accidents and have x-ray open 7 days a week on site and our doctors can read any x-rays immediately. We are open 24 hours a day and can manage you outside of x-ray operating times and can always get you back for an x-ray check the next day if outside of x-ray times.
What if I have a medical problem that is not Covid-19 or respiratory?
We are equipped to handle both serious and less acute medical problems. As always regular medical problems are best dealt with your GP, however, if you deteriorate or have other problems or cannot get to your GP then we are here to help. This can be via a video/audio consult from home or in person as a walk-in. We are open 24 hrs a day.
How can I get hold of my medication if I’m self-isolating?
You can order repeat prescriptions online or by calling your GP surgery – they will send an electronic prescription to your local pharmacy. If you’re not able to collect your medication because you’re unwell or self-isolating, the best option is to ask a friend or family member to collect it on your behalf. Just remember to let the doctor or surgery staff know that someone will be collecting it for you. If this is not possible, you can contact your pharmacy and ask them about delivery options.
What if I run out of medicine and cant access my GP?
In most circumstances we can organise a prescription and supply via your own or our onsite chemist open 0800 to 2200 daily depending on the medicine. If in doubt ring and ask one of our receptionists or nurses.
I’m still feeling worried…
Seeking support for any of these issues can be worrying, so it’s completely understandable if you feel especially anxious about it at the moment. But remember, you don’t need to do it alone. If you need support or advice on seeking medical help, or on anything else, the team at East Care will do what they can to help.
