FLU VACCINES
It’s influenza time again.
The Flu Vaccine is free to anyone over the age of 65 or anyone with one of the following conditions:
Heart disease;
Stroke or related illness;
Ongoing respiratory (chest) disease such as chronic bronchitis and asthma needing regular preventive medication;
Diabetes;
On-going renal (kidney) disease;
Most cancers
Other conditions which affect the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, organ transplants or being on medications which suppress the immune system.
For other patients there is a fee of $15.
This year you can make an appointment with our nurses for your flu vaccination. Don’t forget to allow for twenty minutes wait after the injection to ensure there is no reaction. The vaccine takes 10-14 days to protect you so get in quick before the flu season hits.
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Actual Answer from a Medical Student |
While making his rounds, a doctor points out an x-ray to a group of medical students.
“As you can see,” he says, “the patient limps because his left fibula and tibia are radically arched.”
The doctor turns to one of the students and asks, “What would you do in a case like this?”
“Well,” ponders the student, “I suppose I’d limp, too.” |
After hours medical care
Our surgery is open from 8:00am until 5:30pm Monday to Friday but what happens if you need a doctor outside these hours? After hours medical care is rostered between all the doctors in Taupo. This means that Taupo Medical Centre is only on duty around 2 of every 5 weekends and roughly two nights per week. So how do you know who to call if you need urgent after hours care?
Access to after hours care is simple. Just pick up the phone and dial the surgery (378 4080). The call will automatically be transferred to the duty surgery or if the duty surgery has closed, to an after hours call centre. The call centre is staffed by trained nurses who will assess your symptoms and either advise you on the best course of action or contact the duty doctor with your details. The duty doctor will then call you directly.
Remember
If it is an emergency, DIAL 111 |
Reduced Consultation Fees
At Taupo Medical Centre we are always looking for ways to make doctors visits more accessible. In light of this, we have recently signed up for new government funding which will mean cheaper doctors visits for all our registered patients. At this stage, the new funding is only secured on a temporary basis running from 1 January 2007 for 6 months.
 Children 5 years and under will continue to have free visits while children aged between 6 and 17 years will now pay only $10. Adults 18 years and over will pay just $15.
Please note that these new fees only apply to standard doctors consultations of 10 minutes.
Extended consultations will incur additional fees. For details please see notices in the surgery or ask our staff or doctors.
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Staff News
 Dr Giles Turner has recently become a Director of Taupo Medical Centre. Giles is accepting new patients and is keen to expand his practice. His interests include respiratory medicine (asthma COPD, and respiratory muscle training), and sports medicine. Currently he is studying the University of Auckland diploma in sports medicine. Giles has a passion for health and wellbeing and is an enthusiastic cyclist.
 Jackie Later joins the team as the new Practice Manager. Originally from the UK, Jackie previously lived in Wellington working for a law firm. Jackie and her family relocated to Taupo in January.
Huge congratulations to nurse Paula and her Hubby Marty. Paula and Marty got married on 24 March 2007.
We also say farewell to a couple of staff:
- receptionist Kelly who has headed off on her travels
- nurse Gill who will be commencing a full time position
You will be missed and we wish you all the best in your new ventures.
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 Well done to the Taupo Medical
Centre-Pedes
Who completed the Great Lake Relay on 17th February 2007. This year the Centre-Pedes came a fantastic 17th place with an official time of 20 hours, 13 minutes and 14 seconds.
A great time was had by all!
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Clinics:
The following clinics are available with our nurses:
Cervical Smears
Janet, 2 x Thursdays a month
Weight Management
Angela, 1 x Tuesday a month
Diabetes
Maureen, Thursdays
Immunisations
Sarah, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Please make an appointment with reception.
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 MESSAGE FROM THE RECEPTIONISTS
Please make sure you check in at reception when you arrive for your appointment so that we can complete any necessary paperwork and let the doctor know you have arrived.
 Although we are always striving to reduce waiting times, occasionally your wait may exceed 30 minutes. Please advise reception if this happens to you so that we can double check that everything is still on track and the doctor knows you are waiting.
 Due to the possibility of emergency calls being made to the surgery we have a policy of answering the telephones as quickly as possible.
The reception team would like to pass on their appreciation to everyone for their patience and understanding when being served at reception. Many of you have also taken time to comment on what a wonderful job the reception staff do in such a pressured environment. We thank you for your kind words and continued support.
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