Tauranga after-hours clinic desperate for cash as funding flatlines

Tauranga's only after-hours healthcare clinic has had to make the tough decision to increase fees for some patients as it's in need of a cash injection.

The business manager of family-owned Second Ave's Accident and HealthCare clinic Dave Gilbert said it had no other option following Te Whatu Ora's refusal to increase its subsidies.

"The owners have been subsidising these children coming through the doors," he said.

Children under six used to be free but will now be charged $50. So too will six to 13-year-olds.

Teens aged 14 to 17 will jump from $65 to $115 during the day, and $135 after-hours.

"So unfortunately due to lack of funding from Te Whatu Ora we've had to put up our prices and there's been no moving on any of their funding for many, many years," Gilbert said.

In a statement Te Whatu Ora told 1News it has recently become aware of the concerns raised by Accident and HealthCare.

"As the contract holder, WBOPPHO is responsible for managing negotiations.

"We've asked them to come to an agreement with Accident and Healthcare that ensures free GP visits for children under 14 continue to be provided, while the parties explore longer term options."

Te Whatu Ora Group manager Mike Agnew said a national review of the urgent care and after-hours services is being initiated.

"The review will look at how the interdependent services that respond to unplanned/unscheduled care in the community are working and what needs to be done to strengthen these networks, including looking at key areas of service vulnerability and cost pressures," he said.

There are more than 100 urgent care and after-hours providers across the country, most of which are facing staffing and cost pressures.

Western Bay of Plenty Primary Care Providers Inc's Dr Luke Bradford said the demand has outstripped "any centralised funding" which has strained after-hours clinics like Accident and HealthCare.

"If they close we're looking at a much bigger problem because all of those people, not just the children, will go to the emergency department or need to access primary care which is at capacity," he said.

Bradford said "staff will be struggling" with the idea of charging children and there must further investment in primary care.

"You can't run a center this big without some kind of urgent care facility and my hope and belief is that sensible heads will win through on that and we wouldn't get to that situation," he said.

"In order to attract staff, in order to pay the nurses as they should be paid, in order to recruit doctors and in order to just keep the lights on as Accident and Healthcare have found — there has to be a recognition that there are costs involved and that they can't just be wished away."

He also said there's "absolutely" a crisis in funding of healthcare and urgent action is needed.

Meanwhile, Gilbert said he's giving patients letters to explain why costs have increased, and outlining his concern for the viability of the business and those who rely on it.

"So if we're not around — they're in big trouble," he said.