Your Health

Keep up with the latest health and wellbeing news

October Newsletter 2022

Kia Ora and welcome to your Patient Newsletter

COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 Traffic Light System ended in mid-September, although there are still some requirements, particularly in healthcare settings, most government protection necessities have been removed.

As a medical centre we continue to require mask wearing at all times for all patients, visitors and staff while in the practice.

To ensure your health and safety, particularly during the winter months, triaging of all appointments and visitors to the centre will continue.

It is essential you do not come into the centre with any COVID and/or respiratory symptoms. Stay at home if you are unwell. We can offer you a telehealth appointment.

Staff Profiles

Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
Willem, our health improvement practitioner has retired from this role in general practice. We continue to be able to refer patients for mental health and wellbeing services when needed. Please ask your nurse or doctor for further information.

Patient Appointments

Lately, when booking an appointment you may have noticed that both doctors are fully booked at least 2 – 3 weeks in advance. This is the standard timeframe to get a doctor’s appointment (if not longer) across the country and unfortunately we are no different here in Rotorua or indeed, our practice.

We are doing all that we can to alleviate this problem and where we can, we support our clinical team and patients with Registrars and Locums and the support from our dedicated nursing team.

Our reception team work hard to call in advance to delay patients if the doctors are running late due to emergencies and unfortunately these do happen. We very much appreciate your understanding and patience if this occurs. Please continue to call and cancel any unneeded appointments and book your next appointment in advance where possible.

Community Health

Patient Incontinence Products
We are often asked about adult incontinence pads and how to go about accessing these. Unfortunately they are not available on prescription or free from your general practice. They can be purchased from an incontinence products supplier or pharmacy.

If a patient is eligible, they are partially funded through the hospital system. Eligibility criteria can be discussed with one of our nursing team and if met, the nurse can then refer through to the incontinence nurse at the hospital.

Christmas/New Year Opening Hours

Christmas is not that far away now (the year’s fly by quicker and quicker!)
During the Christmas/New Year period we will be closed on the following days, including public holidays

Christmas Day – Sunday 25 December
Boxing Day (observed) Monday 26 December and Tuesday 27 December
New Year’s Day – Sunday 1 January 2023
Day after New Year’s Day (observed) Monday 2 January, Tuesday 3 January

For all your urgent afterhours medical and accident healthcare needs, please go to Lakes Prime Care (07 3481000) or Rotorua Public Hospital.

Repeat Prescriptions

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

Repeat Prescriptions take 48 hours if received before 4pm on the day – please keep this in mind during this period. (And at any time of the year)

Remember - If you are needing a medication review appointment with your doctor, it is a good idea 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.