AUTUMN March 2015 Kia Ora, Greetings to all of our patients. Please, take one of our Newsletters Farewell - FROM DR CLIVE STONE Dear patients – as you may already know I am retiring from full time medical practice - end of March 2015 bringing to a close 40 years at Ratanui Medical Centre. I joined Ratanui in 1975 and can still remember the splendid Christmas party, December 1974, thinking what a wonderful supportive team of Doctors I was joining. It has been a very enjoyable journey these past 40 years, supported by great colleagues - some no longer about - and a dedicated staff of Nurses and Receptionists making every day a pleasure. Over the past 40 years it has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve such a varied group of wonderful West Auckland patients. You have all been part of me; negotiating the trials of illness and health and I shall truly miss you all. I am sure we will continue to find each other on the highways and byways of life. As my replacement, Ratanui welcomes Dr Tilda Samuelson, a graduate of Edinburgh Medical School Scotland to continue your medical care. It is my intention to be available for Ratanui as in a "help out" capacity for a period so you may still see me about the medical centre. I wish you all the very best for good health for the future years Clive Stone PLEASE WELCOME Dr Tilda Samuelson Dr Dhivyan Vishnunadan Dr Samuelson graduated from Edinburgh University in 2002. Dr Vishnunadan is our current GP registrar. GP registrars are doctors who have already completed at least eight years of medical training and are going on to specialise in general practice. She loves all areas of general practice. When not working she loves spending time with her young son and also dabbles in a bit of painting. Registrars come to our practice for a five-month period to get practical experience under the supervision of our Doctors (Wong, Caldwell and Lang) You may be offered an appointment with Dr Vishnunadan. If you decide to consult with our registrar you are making an important contribution to the education of our New Zealand doctors and we appreciate your support. Dr Abigail Smith We welcome back Dr Smith from extended maternity leave, who will continue caring for some of Dr Graneks patients (whilst she is on maternity leave) and Dr Stones patients. Dr Smith will commence in April. NURSE CLINICS Spirometry (lung function testing) Repeat Prescriptions When booking for a Spirometry please ensure you DO NOT take your INHALERS but please, take all other usual medications. You can order your repeat prescriptions with the nurse either by telephone or email [email protected] Diabetes Checks Nurses answerphone – messages are checked twice daily at 11.30 am and 4 pm FREE annual diabetes checks for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Please ensure you have your blood tests at least 2 days prior to your appointment. Remember to bring in your care sense meter to review. Diabetes clinics are every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. In order to maintain the effectiveness of this process the following details are required: Audiology Clinic We offer ear irrigation and ear suctioning every Wednesday and Friday. Please note - It is essential that softening drops be used for at least 3 days prior to this procedure. Ear suctioning requires a booked appointment. Women’s Health If you are overdue for your smear please book in to see a nurse or your GP. Women’s Health clinics are every Tuesday, Thursday and every second week of the month on Saturday. Your name, folder number and/or date of birth The names and quantities of the medications you require. Please allow a minimum of 24hrs when ordering your repeat prescription. If you have not seen your GP for six months or more and, depending on your type of medication, your GP may request for you to make an appointment. Same day prescriptions incur a $5.00 surcharge ACUTE - QUICK CLINIC Quick Clinic is available between 2 pm and 5.45 pm Monday – Friday and 9 am – 11.30 am Saturdays. You will see the Doctor allocated on duty that day. Doctor preferences cannot be guaranteed. To reduce wait times, guidelines for Quick Clinic are as follows: • • • • • • • ACUTE, QUICK appointments only. ONE issue only. If you have more than one issue, you may be advised to make an appointment on another day. NO WINZ or ACC medical certificates. NO routine medical check ups. Appointments are required for these. Your accident/illness will be triaged by a nurse first. Urgency takes priority therefore, you may not necessarily be seen in the order you came in. If your request is NOT URGENT or QUICK, you may be advised by the nurse to make an appointment for another day. We will endeavor to keep you updated on wait times however, if you feel you have been waiting too long, please see reception. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION www.ratanuimedical.co.nz FLU VACCINE Now available from 9.30 – 11.30 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. Monday - Friday Cost $24.00 Over 65 free Eligible medical conditions free April 2015
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