Newsletter March 2009
20 April, 2009
142 Gayhurst Rd, Dallington
Phone: 385 3114 Fax: 385 3113 www.gayhurstmedical.co.nz
Phone: 385 3114 Fax: 385 3113 www.gayhurstmedical.co.nz
April 2009
Many of you will already know we have had a few changes at GMC over the past months. We have a new doctor, Julie Gilmore, who will be working alongside the other Doctors to provide more consultation hours . We do request that as much as possible you see the Doctor you are registered with but do understand that it is not always possible especially when you are acutely unwell and during the busy season
We have another nurse, Donna Dawson , who will be working alongside Liz and Alison to ensure that we always have two nurses on duty to be available to help with all your nursing needs. Bernice is still doing some nursing duties but has also taken on the role of Practice Manager. We also have changes happening in the reception area of the Practice. We are sorry to see two of our permanent staff leave after many years at GMC. Lorraine has retired from full time work after 23 years on the front desk. We will all miss her wonderful personality and sense of humour, her efficiency and her incredible knowledge of the patients and the practice. Lorraine has decided to stay on and help us with the evening surgeries in the meantime so you may still have the opportunity to see her.
Jan Silcock is also leaving the medical centre. She and her husband Simon have decided to go and live in sunny Blenheim. We will miss Jan’s laughter and her fun loving but efficient manner about the surgery. We wish her and Simon all the best in their new venture.
We have two new receptionists, Shar Parker and Victoria Silcock who will work with Amy to continue the efficient helpful and caring environment of the gayhurst reception.
Yes it’s that time of the year again and we have to think of winter and all the viruses that come with the colder weather. If you are over 65 years of age or have a chronic illness you are able to have a free vaccination. Influenza is not just a bad cold, the symptoms are similar but much more severe and may lead to serious complications in people with existing medical conditions. The influenza virus doesn’t care how fit, active or healthy you are, it is a contagious virus and anyone can catch it.
Please phone for an appointment for your vaccination. Non subsidised fee is $25
The B4 school check is a new health check to enable the child to start school in the best health to learn. Children born after 1st Sept 2004 are eligible and Allison will call the parents to discuss the check requirements
Girls and young women can now be protected from the most common causes of cervical cancer. The vaccine is available free to young women between the ages of 12 to 18. HPV or human papillomavirus is a very common infection and can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer.. Please phone the nurses to discuss further or make an appointment.
During the day both the nurses are often busy seeing patients, especially at this time of the year with flu vaccinations. We understand that it can be frustrating for you if you need to speak to a nurse and we are unavailable, but please either leave us a message on the answer phone or if you prefer leave your name and number with the reception and we will return your call as soon as we can. If you need an urgent response please ask reception to find a nurse or doctor to speak to you. If you want test results please phone between 1pm and 2pm when the nurses have more time available. We appreciate your help with this.
We have now included the credit card option for payment at the time of consultation, and will accept Visa and Mastercard. We also accept payments through internet banking.
Requests for repeat medications should be discussed with your Doctor. Some medical conditions require close monitoring by your Doctor and therefore you will need to have a consultation at least every three months. Other conditions may only need to be monitored 6 monthly or even yearly and you may be able to arrange for repeat prescriptions by phone. However , these arrangements must be discussed with your doctor and noted in your file. Please allow 2 days for phone requests and in most cases there will be a $15 script fee for this service. Urgent scripts needed within a few hours will incur a $20 fee.
Some brief reminders.
Please try to phone for a nurses appointment. Often the nurses appointment book is full and you will not be able to be seen without a pre arranged appointment time.
Please make sure you report in at the reception area when you arrive and receive your consultation slip.