East Auckland Gains 24/7 Urgent Medical Care Service

Residents of east Auckland now have access to a new 24/7 urgent care service, significantly enhancing their options for after-hours medical assistance. Announced by Health Minister Simeon Brown, this service operates in Counties Manukau, providing a vital alternative to the Middlemore Hospital emergency department.

The introduction of this round-the-clock service marks a crucial milestone for the region, which has lacked a comprehensive after-hours medical facility for several years. “Families can now get help for urgent health issues at any time of the day or night, without needing to go to hospital unless it is a genuine emergency,” Brown stated during the launch on January 19, 2024. He emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare, noting that “families deserve care that’s close to home, easy to access, and good value.”

Previously, the urgent care service extended its hours until midnight, but it has now transitioned to full 24/7 coverage. This overnight care will be supported by a flexible workforce comprising doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, paramedics, and telehealth support, ensuring continuous and safe medical attention for the community.

The restoration of this service is a significant priority for the government, which recognizes that east Auckland previously had a 24/7 urgent care service until its closure in December 2020. “We’re bringing that service back for the community,” Brown noted, adding that it is part of the government’s national Urgent Care and After-Hours Framework. The goal is to ensure that 98 per cent of New Zealanders live within a one-hour drive of in-person urgent care.

The new 24/7 urgent care service is located at Local Doctors in Ōtara, specifically at 3 Watford Street. Additionally, from March 1, 2024, East Care Urgent Care in Botany will extend its operating hours from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM, while continuing to open at 7:00 AM daily.

The closure of the overnight service previously offered by East Care in late 2020 generated considerable public outcry. The Counties Manukau District Health Board funded the service from 2014 to 2018, after which East Care assumed the costs until the service’s closure. The ending of that funding, coupled with increasing patient demand, led to the service’s discontinuation.

Both Brown and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have voiced the importance of ensuring that local communities have reliable access to after-hours medical care. After the service at East Care closed, they initiated a petition that garnered 10,454 signatures, urging the Counties Manukau District Health Board to restore funding for 24/7 primary healthcare in the east Auckland area.

Brown reiterated that strengthening urgent and after-hours care is crucial to the government’s broader healthcare strategy, which aims to ensure all New Zealanders receive timely and high-quality medical attention. Luxon added, “When we came to Government, we made a very clear commitment to deliver a health system that truly works. One that is much more accessible, responsive, and focused on the needs of patients.”

With the launch of this new 24/7 urgent care service, families in east Auckland can look forward to improved healthcare access, ultimately alleviating pressure on local hospital emergency departments and ensuring that urgent medical issues are addressed promptly and effectively.