COMMUNICATIONS

New Urology Service To Be Offered In Ashburton

Urology outpatient clinics and support services are to be re-established at Ashburton Hospital. From March, a Christchurch-based urologist will visit Ashburton Hospital monthly for assessment and treatment of patients there. He or she will be supported by a dedicated urology nurse who will do initial investigations, assist with treatment and follow up patients in the community.

Canterbury District Health Board’s Rural Health Services General Manager Garth Bateup said the initiative would save Ashburton people travelling to Christchurch Hospital for about 400 outpatient appointments each year. These appointments would now be at Ashburton Hospital.

The new Ashburton urology service will be developed along similar lines to the outreach services provided by the CDHB in Greymouth and Southland. The initiative is part of the DHB’s model of care for Ashburton Health Services, which when established, highlighted the re-establishment of urology clinics at Ashburton as a priority.

“Once the urology service has been established, we will be looking at increasing other services in a similar way,” Mr Bateup said.

Canterbury District Health Board Consultant Urologist Dr Stephen Mark, who is one of four doctors who will travel south each month, said the new initiative would not only take pressure off the Christchurch service, it would also make it easier for Ashburton patients and their families because they would be seen locally.

He said a similar service set up about three years ago at Greymouth Hospital, with which he is also involved, had “worked well for all parties”. It ensured urology patients on the West Coast were seen within six months, in accordance with Ministry of Health policy, and ensured doctors in Christchurch could concentrate more on local patients.

ENDS