Invercargill’s urgent and after-hours healthcare hours have more than doubled this week, thanks to increased Government health funding, National’s Invercargill candidate Penny Simmonds says.
“Effective from Monday October 19, this increase in hours is part of a $164m Budget 2025 investment aimed at strengthening urgent and after-hours care.
“The changes mean the urgent doctor service in Invercargill will be open for almost 60 hours a week, compared with the current 23 hours.
“That’s an extra 35 and a-half hours of care that local people will now be able to access.
“I think it’s a gamechanger and I’m delighted that Southlanders will benefit from this enhanced health service.
“The service had previously operated from 6pm - 9pm during the week, and noon to 4pm on weekends and public holidays.
“The extended hours will see the service operating during the day, from 11.30am to 8pm, on weekdays - and from 9am to 5pm on weekends.
“This is a real breakthrough in healthcare for the people of Invercargill and Southland – with the urgent doctor service now operating right across the day.
“We all know how worrying it is to have a sick child, or an elderly person who becomes unwell, and we want to access appropriate care urgently.
"These increased hours will mean people will now have the peace of mind and reassurance that they can access a doctor when and where they need one.
“It will also take pressure off the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department – freeing up that service for the most vulnerable and urgent of cases.
“National has invested more in health than ever before, with a record $16.68 billion across three Budgets to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders, including Southlanders.”