Your Health

Keep up with the latest health and wellbeing news

December Newsletter

Kia Ora and welcome to your patient newsletter

Patient In-practice Survey and Results

We held a patient survey 21-25 September in the practice.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate. In-house surveys will be held annually within the practice, and national surveys externally throughout the year. The data and individual feedback provided by you helps develop the services we provide and target the areas within our enrolled population that may require a different approach and resources.

One of the services we introduced recently to assist our patients is appointment reminders - ‘text to remind’.

Health Service Update - Covid-19

We continue to offer a full range of consultation options to our patients during this time; telephone, video conference, email and face to face appointments.
Usual fees apply.

Please continue to practice social distancing, good hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, staying home if you are unwell.

Covid-19 Testing – please call reception and we will advise what to do next or you can contact Health line 0800 358 5453.
Covid-19 testing stations are still open – call us if you are unsure of the location and opening hours.

For the latest Covid-19 updates – visit the Ministry of Health website

Staff Updates

Doctors:
Registrar Dr Rachel Wymer finished her rotation with us at the end of November.
As a teaching practice, we endeavour to have Registrars annually for half or a full year rotation.
We are pleased to confirm our next Registrar will be joining us in August 2021. Further detail to follow nearer to the time.

Nurses:
Practice Nurse Dianne Fowler joined us late last month. Dianne replaces Susan Clare who retired in September.

Health Promotion

December – Remember to get your repeat prescriptions in early for the Christmas/New Year break – don’t leave the rush to the last minute.

If you are needing a medication review appointment with your doctor, it is good to remember to bring all your current medications that you are taking to this appointment (in a bag). This will enable you and your doctor to review each item together.
January - Sees the start of the hotter summer months – Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand.

Approximately 500 New Zealanders die of skin cancer every year. Skin cancer is largely preventable. Over 90% of all skin cancer cases are attributed to excess sun exposure.

Remember - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap – be sun smart

Christmas Opening Hours

During the Christmas/New Year period we will be closed on the following public holidays:

Christmas Day
Boxing Day (observed) Monday 28 December
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day (observed) Monday 4 January

For all urgent medical/accident needs during this period, go to Lakes Prime Care after-hours clinic (07 348 1000) or Rotorua Public Hospital.

Westend Medical Website Redevelopment

Late December, we will be launching our redeveloped website. We have been working hard over the past few months to bring you and your whanau, families and the wider community, new and improved ways of communicating our services and healthcare information. We welcome your comments and feedback.