New telehealth service on West Coast faces trust issues, advocate says

A new telehealth service, Ka Ora Telecare, began operating on the West Coast on October 1, replacing after-hours GP clinics. The service has received over 200 calls in its first three weeks, with some patients still unsure about how it works. West Coast Health reports that 10% to 15% of calls were referred for in-person care, and there were no significant increases in emergency department visits. However, some community members remain skeptical about relying on telehealth instead of face-to-face consultations. Patient advocate Malcolm Mulholland noted that many residents still lack information about the service. He raised concerns about ongoing issues at local hospitals, highlighting a recent case where a patient faced delays in receiving care.