After hours healthcare for older patients in New Zealand-barriers to accessing care

Aim To explore older people's attitudes and their perceptions of barriers when seeking medical care after hours. Method In-depth interviews and a focus group of older people were conducted and key informants were interviewed. The data was analysed using qualitative techniques. Results Reluctance to be a nuisance, transport problems, cost, lack of information, and reluctance to see an unfamiliar doctor are among the barriers described by older people. Conclusions There were transport, cost, and social barriers to older people obtaining after hours medical care.