be well

Medical centres in our group provide convenient access to a wide range of healthcare services.

Home visits (enrolled patients only)
When there is a genuine medical need for a home visit, we will try to send your regular GP but this may not always be possible. In such cases, the first available doctor will attend to you at home. If you need a house call, please phone the centre and discuss your request with the practice nurse.

Family planning
We offer advice on all aspects of fertility and contraception. Our advice and treatment are always confidential to patients. See also our section on vasectomies, below.

Maternity care
Midwives work in many of our centres. They will care for you during your pregnancy, delivery and after the baby is born, and can also visit you at home. They are working in close partnership with other health professionals in the medical centre.

Travel vaccinations
It pays to plan well in advance if you need travel vaccinations. Depending on your journey, you may find that you need more than one dose of certain vaccines, and six weeks may be required between two or more sets of inoculations. We recommend discussing your travel plans with a practice nurse at least two months before you travel.

Specific medical examinations
These are sometimes required for drivers licensing, immigration, diving or to enable us to issue a sickness certificate. Please phone for an appointment and be sure to let the receptionist know what your appointment is for.

Fractures
Most of our centres can deal with fractures that do not need surgical correction. If the fracture is complicated we will organise immediate referral to the local public hospital.

Minor surgery
We are equipped to carry out minor general surgery — for example, the removal of skin lesions, moles, or ingrown toenails. Usually the time needed to carry out these procedures will mean booking a longer appointment. Procedures requiring liquid nitrogen, for example to remove warts or solar keratosis, may only be carried out on certain days. Please check with the receptionist if you wish to make a booking for this.

End of life care for enrolled patients
Your doctor will be happy to talk to you or your family about supporting enrolled patients at home. Your doctor will visit as required, and will help the caring team of family, friends and district nurses to make life as easy as possible for patients. We work closely with the local hospice when appropriate.

Laboratory tests
Often the doctor will ask you to have a diagnostic lab test taken. In some cases specimens can be taken in the centre, or we will ask you to do this elsewhere. The results go directly into your medical notes after the doctor has reviewed them. Please discus with your doctor or nurse how and when you will get your results. In many cases you will need to discuss these with your doctor - we will advise if you need to make an appointment to review them.

TXT reminders
Many centres now use a text service to your cell phone to let you know your test results are back, or to remind you about appointments. Ask at reception about being part of this convenient service.

Sports medicine
If you belong to a sports club, you may not need to pay an ACC surcharge for the initial consultation of a sports-related injury. Ask at your centre or your club administration whether your club has this arrangement with the practice.

Occupational health
We offer contracts to workplaces for a range of services, including pre-employment medicals, yearly medicals and illness- related consultations which are charged direct to your place of employment. See our Corporate Health section for more information, and check with your workplace to see if your company has an agreement with us.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
Some of our health providers or onsite health professionals may offer CAM treatments, such as acupuncture, nutritional medicine, or chelation therapy. Please refer to your practice pages for details.

Procedures
The following procedures may be carried out at the centre near you — please enquire about:

• Tympanometry (for glue ear)
• Screening audiometry (hearing tests)
• IUCD insertion
• Biopsy or mole removal
• ECGs (tracing of your heart)
• Spirometry (to assist with diagnosis of respiratory illness)
• Nebulising (for acute asthma attacks)
• Vasectomies

Other health professionals
Most of our centres have a pharmacy onsite for your convenience where you can have your prescriptions filled, and buy a range of over-the-counter items. You will also find many other health professionals onsite such as physiotherapy, x-ray, midwives, or visiting specialists. Please see the medical centre pages or ask at our reception about additional services available at your centre.

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