Lucy Lawless - Starship Children's Health Information Site
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Star Gives Shuttle Push from East and Bays Courier
18 July 2008

Starship hospital is looking at providing a shuttle service for outpatients to cut the thousands of costly no-shows each year.

Kiwi superstar and Starship patron Lucy Lawless is supporting the idea.

Outpatient clinics cover all medical specialities and cater for follow-up visits or for children referred to a specialist by their doctor.

More than 66,000 appointments are made at the clinics each year but about one in 10 don’t show up.

Clinical services general manager Kay Hyman says that has repercussions for the hospital and child.

"You don’t get an outpatient appointment unless you need it. Children could get sick or their illness could return if they don’t get the necessary follow-up."

Staff time is also wasted when patients don’t arrive.

Mrs Hyman says research into why appointments aren’t kept shows transport is a problem.

"We recognise it’s difficult for parents with other children as well as their sick child. Public transport is available but it’s not always easy with two or three kids.

"On a horrible wet day you can see why staying home seems easier."

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