New clinic a more comfortable place to be

A change to the way the Health Waikato Ear Nurse Service operates in southern Waikato towns has seen a decrease in waiting times and a warmer, more inviting clinic set up – just in time for the colder months.

While ear nurse services in Te Kuiti, Tokoroa and Taumarunui were previously delivered from a mobile clinic conducted on an ad hoc basis, a redesign of the service allows families to make appointments at Te Kuiti, Tokoroa or Taumarunui hospitals' outpatient departments.

The ear nurse service is a free service for children from birth until they leave the school system.

Specialty clinical nurses provide advice and treatment for grommets, wax and foreign body removal, treatment for discharging ears, and glue ear assessment and management.

Specialty clinical ear nurse Marie Harrison said the new system provides a more comfortable and warm waiting environment for children and their parents waiting to be seen.

"It also cuts down on waiting times for these families because we now work on appointments, which the office staff make for the patient at each of the hospitals during office hours.

"So there is no more waiting around for the patients who show up before you at the mobile."

She said people from areas outside the three town centres of Taumarunui, Te Kuiti and Tokoroa who may have transport difficulties should get in touch with their local public health nurse.

"Children do not require a written referral to the service. If a parent or caregiver has concerns about their child's ear health, they simply need to call their nearest hospital to make an appointment."

Visit www.waikatodhb.govt.nz for all Health Waikato service and facility contact numbers.

Date: 16 March 2010

ENDS