A new Acute Clinic opens for walk-in patients at Highbrook Medical

Acute clinic Highbrook Medical | walkin patients | Richard Chong

The Acute clinic at Highbrook is now open. Of course, needing to see a same-day doctor is a common need. With plenty of Urgent Care experience under her belt, Dr Jayani Kannagara explains when to see a doctor in an Acute clinic.

When Tui, a warehouse manager, woke up one morning with a stiff neck, she wasn’t sure if she should go to work. “I thought I must have slept funny at first, but I had a bad headache too. Something told me I wasn’t quite right.” Working down the road from our clinic, Tui popped in early to try out the same-day doctor service at the Acute clinic here at Highbrook. And it’s a good thing she did. The diagnosis? Meningitis.

Helping walk-in patients get urgent care when they need it

While most walk-in patients in the Acute clinic have far less dramatic outcomes, Tui’s experience highlights the importance of seeking timely medical attention for acute illnesses.

So I wanted to explain why same-day doctor and paramedic services are so important; some of the common acute illnesses that may require same-day medical attention; and how to access our same-day doctor service. It’s really important to our team that our community understand the options available.

Why Same-Day Doctor Services are Important for your whānau

Needless to say, acute illnesses can be unpredictable and require urgent medical attention. Sometimes waiting for a regular doctor’s appointment can exacerbate the condition and lead to serious complications. Fortunately, same-day doctor services provide immediate medical attention. Luckily, our in-house Urgent care GPs agree. “This really helps prevent the worsening of acute illnesses and reduces the risk of complications. So, by seeking timely medical attention, you can receive the care you need to recover quickly and avoid further health problems.” says Dr Richard Chong.

Benefits of Our Same-Day Doctor Service at the Acute Clinic

Our same-day doctor service at the Acute clinic offers many benefits over traditional primary care services. By visiting our Acute clinic, patients can walk in without having an appointment. Additionally, our doctors are trained to

Diagnose and treat a wide range of acute illnesses
Assess flair-ups of long-term conditions
Prescribe medications
Safely manage sexual health concerns
Lodge ACC claims
Provide medical advice as needed.
Moreover, if you suspect you’re coming down with something, getting care early can stop infections from taking hold.

Common Acute illnesses that may require same day medical attention

Common acute illnesses requiring same-day medical attention include:

infections
injuries
severe headaches
abdominal pain
breathing difficulties, among others.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe and can vary depending on the illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is important. Prompt medical attention can help prevent the illness from worsening and reduce the risk of complications.

How to see a Same-Day Doctor or Paramedic through our acute service

To see our same-day doctor or paramedic service, simply walk in and join the queue to see one of the Acute Clinic team. Recognising the needs of the Highbrook workforce we offer walk-in clinics during regular business hours so that it’s accessible for employees.

Supported by local Highbrook business employers

Interestingly, one of the reasons Tui thought to drop in was that she’d met our team during a visit from our Mobile Health Unit for a workplace screening. “Actually, I didn’t know what an Acute clinic was until a nurse told me about it. My team had a health check organised by our work. Dr Jayani said you could drop in if you were injured at work or felt sick. Luckily, my boss is really supportive of us getting healthcare.” For Tui, her choice was invaluable. Not only did she have a quick referral to the hospital, she also avoided life-threatening complications through early treatment.

In the words of our resident same-day Paramedic, Katy Morgan, “Tui’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking timely medical attention for acute illnesses. By seeking timely medical attention, patients can receive the care they need to recover quickly and avoid further health problems.”

So, don’t hesitate to drop in if you feel unwell. Moreover, you can call in advance if you aren’t sure if you need to come down. We encourage you to visit our Acute Clinic within Highbrook Medical Centre if you experience any symptoms of an acute illness.