Children with skin infections get free care after hours

Children with skin infections in east Auckland are getting free after-hours care after doctors discovered that many were ending up in hospital.

The free visits stem from a joint venture between White Cross clinics and the Maori-led Tamaki primary health organisation (PHO), which found cellulitis was the most common problem among its Maori patients.

Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection which goes beneath the skin. It can start from an ordinary scratch or insect bite but if children do not get treatment quickly they can end up in hospital on an antibiotic drip.

Research shows Maori children are nearly four times more likely to suffer skin infections than their European counterparts.

To make sure children in need get early treatment for cellulitis and other easily preventable problems, children under six who are enrolled with the Tamaki PHO can now receive free after-hours treatment at White Cross clinics for medical conditions. Costs are also reduced for older age groups.

"The idea is easy access, early diagnosis and early treatment," Tamaki clinical director Dr Guy Naden said.

"If we can stop a proportion of those going to hospital we will be saving [the system] heaps."

The idea stemmed from the PHO's research last year, which found angina and chest pain were the most common complaints among its 31,000 patients, followed by cellulitis, respiratory conditions and dental problems.

For Maori, who make up about 16 per cent of those enrolled, the leading problem was cellulitis, followed by asthma, angina and chest pain, then respiratory conditions.

Dr Naden said the results were surprising because doctors had expected the results to mirror those seen in hospitals, where heart disease, cancer and diabetes showed up prominently.

"What we are seeing is a concentrated number get to hospital. In general practice we see a lot broader scope of conditions," he said.

Skin infections are more common among disadvantaged families where overcrowding is more likely. Infection can spread through shared bedding, clothing and towels.