Introducing a community health center at Mosgiel, New Zealand: effects on use of the hospital accident and emergency (A & E) department.

The effects of introducing a community health center on utilization of the accident and emergency (A & E) department of a New Zealand hospital are examined. Use by the recipient community during the 3 years before the health center existed was compared with use over the succeeding 3 years and with that by a nearby city served by traditional forms of primary care. Results from the study did not support the postulated reduction in overall use by the health center population, nor did they confirm a reduction in use during the hours that the health center was open or by those subgroups thought likely to find the new facility a preferred alternative. Furthermore, there appeared to be no change in the behavior of A & E staff toward using the health center as a potential alternative to follow-up care at the hospital.