Telephone technology is being used to help us get connected to the right department - faster. 

Things are changing in the way you contact Dunstan Hospital – and it’s definitely a change for the better. 

When people phone the hospital, those that need help will get help faster, and those that just need to be put through to a person or department will have the options at their fingertips.

Chief Executive at Central Otago Health Services Ltd Dunstan Hospital, Dr Kathy de Luc says the update will go live sometime in the next few weeks.

“We’d just like people to know it’s happening, so they’re prepared. 

“The rationale behind it is that a lot of the phone calls that go through the front desk are straightforward and just need to be put through to a department.

“However as we get busier, we’re getting more and more calls. 

“What that means is, whoever is on the front desk has less time to spend with people who come in with more complex queries, or phone in with complex queries.

“So, the whole point is to streamline everything, and give us more time to focus on patients and phone calls where more help is needed.”

Kathy says the new system will be in operation both during the day and for the ward out of hours.

The teams have been working hard to ensure everything works seamlessly before the system goes live.

“It’s a practical solution to the issue of us just getting busier, and wanting to continue to make it easy for people to get access to what they need,” she says.

“We’re focusing on the people who need a bit more help, and providing a simple to use system for those who are more straightforward – they can get straight through to the department they need.”

Kathy says once the new system is live, people phoning in to the main number for Dunstan Hospital will be able to select the department they want from a list, instead of the call going to the person manning the front desk.

“You’ll hear a message similar to what you hear when you call your local GP, then press 1 for this department, or press 2 for that, and so on.

“And, you’ll still be able to talk to whoever is on the front desk if you have a question.

“It’s simple, just what you hear on other automated systems.”

Open The Central App and click on the ‘Health/Wellbeing’ button, find the Dunstan Hospital button on the second row to direct dial all departments.

There is also the option to call each department in the hospital directly.  Direct dial numbers for each department are printed on all leaflets and paperwork for anyone who is already receiving care. 

“We’ve always had the ability for people to direct dial, it’s just that people have tended to use the main hospital number.

“It’s just a matter of highlighting to people it’s easier to directly dial the person or department you want to talk to.

“And the automated system is there as a back-up for people who still use the main number.”

The Central App also makes it easy for everyone to connect with the department they need at Dunstan Hospital. All numbers are listed on the App and you can call direct from within the App itself.

Open The Central App on your phone, and click on the Health/Wellbeing button. Inside Health/Wellbeing, on the left hand side of the second row, click the Dunstan Hospital button.

All departments at Dunstan Hospital are listed on The Central App, and you can direct dial from within the App.

Just click on the name of the department you want to talk to, and you will be able to call them direct from the App.

Kathy stressed the team will be looking for feedback after the system is launched.

“Please let us know if you have any problems with the new system, so if there are any operational issues we have an opportunity to rectify them.

“And remember, if it’s an emergency, ring 111.”

Check out the list of numbers for Dunstan Hospital on The Central App.

Images The Central App