Your Health

Keep up with the latest health and wellbeing news

April Newsletter 2024

Westend Medical, like most general practices and healthcare services in Rotorua and throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, is experiencing severe clinical staff shortages for both doctors (and nurses).

In particular, this is impacting on the wait times for you to get an appointment to see your general practitioner, currently up to three weeks.

Due to this wait-time we understand the temptation for you to come in with a list of issues that you would like to discuss with the doctor, however, in an allocated and booked 15minute consultation, this is not always possible.

The doctor has an obligation to ensure they are able to fully care for you and the medical issue you are presenting with in the time allocated, and this is likely to only be the one presenting issue at the time and the doctor may ask you to rebook another appointment or a double appointment (usual charges apply).

We understand that this may seem unnecessary “as you are already in the room” with the doctor, but, as you know, if you take up a longer consult time, this has a snow-ball effect on (everyone) down through all the patients who are kept waiting through-out the day and we try to avoid this as much as possible with the exception of medical emergencies.

The immense pressures across the health sector are impacting clinicians. Health reforms, technological advances, increased administration requirements, all add to the cumulative demands and burn-out being experienced by our GPs on a daily basis.

Thank you everyone for your understanding and patience

2024 Flu Vaccine Season

Flu Vaccines will be available from 2 April.

If you have or are turning 65 years this year (onwards), your Flu vaccine is FREE (and from then on)

The Shingles vaccine is FREE for 65-year-olds (only), if you have not had one already. Please contact one of our reception team to make an appointment

Enduring power of Attorney (EPA) - What is it and how to set one up

An enduring power of attorney (EPA) is a legal document which sets out who can take care of your personal or financial (property) matters if you can’t. That designated person is called your attorney. You can set up an enduring power of attorney through a lawyer or trustee corporation.

Age Concern has EPA forms and guidelines available at the Office for Senior Citizens website. These are for your information only as you will need professional assistance to complete them. The public Trust also has information and forms.

Age Concern NZ | He Manaakitanga Kaumatua Aotearoa

www.ageconcern.org.nz

Activating an EPA – Who does this?

An EPA usually (but not always) comes into effect when the donor (the person/patient who created the EPA) is deemed incapable of acting for themselves.

The legal activation certification process is completed by your doctor who will need to provide this certificate to the lawyer. Upon receipt of the certificate the law firm holding the original document will note that the EPA has been activated and will release certified copies to the attorney (designated person).

Advanced Care Plan (ACP) - What is an ACP and why should you have one?

Advance care planning is a process of thinking and talking about your values and goals and what your preferences are for current and future health care. It helps you to understand what the future might hold, and say what health care you would or would not want, including end of life care, and it can help guide the designated attorney (in relation to an EPA).

We are able to provide you with a FREE consultation to discuss with you and your whanau/family about your ACP, make your appointment today with one of our caring nurses.