Summarised by Centrist
A woman has described as “bizarre” the moment a Kaitāia Hospital nurse wheeled in a computer screen to deliver her husband’s stroke diagnosis via a doctor based in the United States.
Her husband was allowed to leave the hospital despite having suffered a mild stroke, later confirmed at Auckland City Hospital, where he spent a week in recovery.
The couple were visiting their Far North bach when “Sharon” (not her real name) noticed her husband was behaving erratically and showing physical signs of a stroke.
After driving him to Kaitāia Hospital, they were first told to wait for an after-hours GP. When seen in the emergency department, the consultation was conducted via telehealth.
“I thought, ‘what?’ It was just bizarre – it was like looking at a TV screen,” she said.
After a 20-minute consult, during which the remote doctor ordered some tests, her husband was allowed to leave. The next day, still concerned and unable to reach Kaitāia Hospital by phone, Sharon contacted their Auckland GP, who urged them to go straight to hospital. Her husband ended up receiving intensive therapy and continues to suffer from stroke-related symptoms.
Health NZ says the hospital is staffed 24/7 with healthcare professionals, including digital consultations with New Zealand doctors. Northern operations director Alex Pimm acknowledged the case but said triaging patients to GPs or telehealth is standard and often ensures faster care.
“There’s no substitute for a doctor in the flesh,” said Patient Voice Aotearoa chair Malcolm Mulholland, who called the situation “a shocker” and criticised the lack of transparency. He warned that with thousands in the Far North lacking GP access, the problem could escalate.
