Medical Services

There are areas within the Bay that have high socio-economic deprivation and an increased aged population, with rapid population growth in the western Bay of Plenty.

The increasing Maori population have high rates of heart disease, diabetes, tobacco smoking, marijuana use, poor diet, obesity and high blood pressure compared with non-Maori. The service works closely with other providers in the region to develop initiatives to improve the health outcome of the people.

Tauranga Hospital has 94 general medical beds and 35 beds for health in ageing (rehabilitation patients). Whakatane Hospital has 29 medical beds.

Most secondary services are available at either Tauranga or Whakatane hospitals. These include cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, neurology, respiratory medicine, rheumatology, diabetes, endocrinology, dermatology and specialist services for the older person.

A number of services are provided through visiting specialists such as renal medicine, oncology, haematology and dermatology.

Access to elective services is on the basis of referral from General Practitioners or Consultants. For further details click here.