Services
Our aim is to provide an effective, efficient and fair health care service to all our patients by :
- Putting our patients at the centre of what we do
- Having a professional integrated primary healthcare team who are qualified and trained
- Offering our services in a safe, supportive and suitably equipped environment
- It’s important to look after your child, especially during their early years. Vaccinations are one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect them from illness and disease. That’s why free routine vaccinations for children aged six weeks to five years is available nationwide.
- The immunisation visits ensure that your baby receives the best childhood protection possible against life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza type b disease.
- The Well Child Programme provides support for parents when making decisions about their child’s vaccinations. We hope you find this information useful as you make decisions about your child’s health.
- We offer all the important vaccines and send reminders when these are due.
- Think you’ve missed any vaccines? Chat to our nurses to plan a catch-up program.
Cervical Smears
Free cervical cancer screening is available to all our enrolled patients.
The smear test looks for abnormal changes to the cells of the neck of your uterus (cervix). It’s important to find abnormal cells early so you can be given treatment before the cells develop into cancer.
We encourage all women aged 25–69 years to have a cervical screening test every three years if the initial smear results are normal.
If you are aged 25 or over and you are or have been sexually active and haven’t had a cervical smear in the last three years, talk to your nurse or GP at any of our clinics.
What is Cervical Smear?
Having a smear test only takes a few minutes and you can ask that it be done by a female nurse or doctor. Some women find it uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t hurt.
A few cells are collected from your cervix using a spatula (a thin, flat wooden instrument) and put into a solution for testing in the laboratory. The cells are put under a microscope to see if there is anything abnormal. If there is, your clinic will let you know the next steps.
When phoning for an appointment, let our receptionists know that this is what you require, and they will make an appointment with someone that suits you.
Breast Screening
If you are concerned about any changes to your breasts, please come to see a doctor or nurse at one of our GP clinics. We can help you will a number of breast problems, like mastitis or pain, and refer you to a specialist if needed.
We also encourage women to have regular breast screening tests, which are used to find breast cancer early so that treatment can start and increase the chance of a full recovery. One in nine women in New Zealand get breast cancer.
BreastScreen Aotearoa is a national breast screening programme offering a free screening mammogram every two years for women who:
- are aged 45‒69 years
- have no symptoms of breast cancer
- have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months
- are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- are eligible for public health services in New Zealand.
You can read all about the programme, risks and benefits and how to register on the Time to Screen website. Or phone BreastScreen Aotearoa on 0800 270 200.
Pregnancy Care
We can give advice and care at every stage of your pregnancy. This includes when you are trying to get pregnant, or if you are having difficulty getting pregnant.
Every woman having a baby needs to nominate a health professional who will help them through their pregnancy. We provide information about how to choose a LMC to every pregnant woman enrolled with us.
Emergency Contraception
The morning-after pill (ECP) (also called the “day after pill”) is an emergency contraceptive that can be taken after unprotected sex. It helps prevent pregnancy by permanently stopping or delaying ovulation, which means it prevents sperm from meeting the egg. The morning-after pill contains a large number of hormones and is a very effective form of emergency contraception if taken soon after unprotected intercourse.
- We can provide you with a prescription for the ECP pill (sometimes known as ‘after sex pills’)
- It won’t cause an abortion if you are already pregnant
- Discuss emergency contraception and regular contraception confidentially with our GPs.
Contraception Choices
Our doctors will consult with you regarding your contraceptive needs and prescribe the appropriate method for you. There are a number of contraception methods, most of which can be provided here at medical centre:
- hormonal contraception, such the pill or the Depo Provera injection.
- barrier methods, such as condoms.
- emergency contraception
- fertility awareness
It is important to understand that your needs will change over time depending on your age, health and lifestyle. If your situation changes, consult your doctor before adjusting your contraception. Further information and advice can be found at: http://www.familyplanning.org.nz
You can discuss contraception, management of sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health needs and learn about sexual health.
Sexual health consultations can include:
- access to information on sexual health, contraception
- decision making condom and safe sex information
- pregnancy testing advice emergency contraception
- assessment of sexually transmitted infections
COVID-19 vaccine
Getting the Covid-19 vaccine is one of the main ways that you can Getting the Covid-19 vaccine is one of the main ways that you can protect your health and wellbeing during this pandemic. It is also an important step towards a return to normality. Everyone in NZ, 5 years and over are eligible.
Influenza vaccine
Flu vaccination is the best form of protection against an influenza virus. The immunisation can’t give you flu – it contains no live viruses. In fact, many different viruses cause colds and other respiratory infections in Australia, which run throughout the year. The flu vaccination helps prepare your immune system to fight against circulating influenza virus which is why it’s important to get vaccinated every year.
- How much does the flu vaccine cost?
- If you are eligible for a funded influenza vaccine, it is free.
- The cost is $30 to those who are not elibigle for funded injections.
HPV – Cervical Cancer Vaccine
A free cervical cancer vaccine is available for everyone, male and female, aged 9–26 years, including non-residents under the age of 18.
- The vaccine offers protection against human papillomaviruses (HPV) that can lead to cervical cancer.
- Males are vaccinated, too, so they cannot pass the virus onto females during sex.
- For more information, talk to your doctor or practice nurse.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is more common in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Vaccination can reduce your risk of getting shingles and the long-term pain it can lead to.
- The shingles vaccine is called Zostavax and it’s free for people who are 65 years old.
- If you’re under 65, you may want to think about having the vaccination, although it is not funded for you.
- Talk to your GP clinic about how to get vaccinated and if you are eligible for a free vaccine.
Childhood vaccinations
Free routine vaccinations for children are important to keep your child and whānau immunised against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella. Children should have, and are entitled to receive, free immunisations at six weeks, three months, five months, 15 months and five years.
Our team can provide eyesight and medical certifications for driving licence applications. If you’re applying for your driving licence, a medical assessment may be required to show that you’re healthy enough to drive.
An ECG is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It can help find out why you feel unwell or experience health changes. An ECG test allows your doctor to diagnose heart problems, such as irregular heart rhythms or heart attacks.
We are committed to working in partnership with you to actively manage conditions like diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease. We work with you to manage these and achieve the best outcomes.
Have you injured yourself at home, at work or playing sports? We can treat minor injuries and provide you with an ACC referral when required.
ACC cover pays some of the cost of your medical care, help at home and at work, and can provide financial support if you are unable to work due to an injury. We can help you with ACC consultations and treat any minor injury.