A comprehensive
list of Web sites in Northwest Kansas.
Agriculture | The
Arts & Museums | Education
| Communities
| Travel
| Weather
Your Source
For News and Information in Northwest Kansas.
Local News| Sports
| Classifieds
| Editorials|
Obituaries
| Local
Weather Forecast | Stocks
| Subscription
Information | Contact
Us
|
Search for medical care should
be done soon
Not only do new city residents
need to find housing, utilities and schools for their children,
they also need to find out where to go for health care.
Stan Unruh, vice president of communications at Hays Medical
Center, said people, himself included, often wait until they
are sick before looking for a doctor.
But conducting a health care search soon after moving to a community
can save costly visits to the emergency room later.
"I think as soon as you can get established in the community,
you should try to begin a relationship with a doctor," Unruh
said. "That way, you can get care in a timely manner."
Unruh suggests people ask friends, neighbors and co-workers for
advice on choosing a health care provider.
"I would think as they assimilate into the community, and
start a new job, make friends, go to church, they should ask
their acquaintances who they would recommend," Unruh said.
Unruh said he has received a number of calls from people who
are looking for health care, and though he is happy to help,
calling the hospital switchboard may not be the best way to go.
"I think the best way to do it would be to ask others what
kind of experience they've had," he said.
Unruh also suggested using the phone book's yellow pages to call
various physicians. He said it's important for individuals to
ask questions.
"You might have a child with special needs, and you could
call and ask if that office is willing to accommodate you,"
Unruh said. "It never hurts to be a good consumer when it
comes to looking for somebody who's gonna take care of your health."
If people do get sick and don't have a family doctor, seeking
treatment at the HMC/Fort Hays State University Family Health
Care Centers might be an option.
The centers, which use nurse practitioners, are open in Ellis,
Hays and Victoria at varying times.
"It may be a nurse practitioner program, but they can give
you whatever you need," Unruh said.
- The Ellis center is located at 1204 Washington. Hours are from
1 to 5 p.m. Mondays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The phone number is (785) 726-4956.
- The Victoria center is located at 208 Marc Wagner Drive. Hours
are from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
on Wednesdays and Fridays. The phone number is (785) 735-9721.
- The Hays Center is located inside HMC on Canterbury. Hours
are from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to
noon on Saturday. The phone number is (785) 623-5620.
The First Care Clinic meets Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.
in the east end of the former Hadley campus, 201 E. Seventh.
The phone number is 623-6210.
Doctors, nurses and many other volunteers from Hays and the region
participate in this clinic.
The centers accept walk-in patients but prefer that appointments
be made. They treat many health problems, but do not treat such
things as chest pain, asthma or diabetes.
However, they can make a diagnosis of more severe illnesses and
refer them to the appropriate doctor. In addition, a physician
adviser is available for consultation.
Unruh said anyone can use these centers, especially for minor
injuries and illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia.
|