There's a belief EDs could be diverting patients away with vouchers for urgent care clinic consultations, more than they are. 

It's believed Auckland's Waitakere Hospital is sending away around 25 patients a day with vouchers due to long wait lists. 

The Health District's total voucher spend jumped 60% between 2022 and last year. 

The Royal College of GPs' Medical Director, Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking there's pressure on EDs to meet Health NZ's target of seeing patients within six hours. 

He says it's cheaper to hand out a $150 or $200 voucher, considering the average cost for a visit is 800. 

Bradford says it’s a reasonable way to help manage the flow of EDs, and vouches are a solution to managing a recession and a lack of resources. 

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