Apologies internet and connected phoneswere down this morning and fixed early afternoon. Unfortunately this means the phones didn’t answer or relay to afterhours team on this occasion either. Remember you can order scripts from connectmed . Our reception team arre under extra pressure now this afternoon. Thankyou for being patient. . Thankyou for being patient -frustrating for everyone.
With the start of the Covid Protection Framework, we will continue to prioritise patient safety in our practice. We have developed protocols over the past 18 months which have necessarily changed the way we work, but which we are confident follow guidelines and limit risks of infection.
We are still providing virtual (phone or video) consultations whenever possible in accordance with public health guidance, however there are obvious limitations for this, and we are very pleased to also offer onsite appointments for much needed check-ups such as blood pressure and heart checks, skin checks, smears and breast exams. Nursing appointments for vaccinations and other procedures continue as previously.
Virtual appointments can be booked on-line but please call reception for any onsite appointments.
We are delighted to say that we are now able to offer COVID 19 vaccinations to our patients aged 12 years and over. This will include boosters form 29th November – The booster must be at least 6 months after the 2nd vaccine – the online booking system opens from 26th, For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to make a booking, or prefer to come to your regular GP Clinic to have your vaccination. If you have received our message on 21 September with the Access code please book online via Book My Vaccine https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ .
MGP encourages our practice population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself, your whānau and your wider community against COVID-19. High vaccination rates protect our whole community, including those who can’t be vaccinated themselves.
Healthnavigator has a full summary and links on multiple issues regarding the Covid vaccine, including the two most frequent concerns listed below…
Covid-19 vaccines: Healthnavigator Overview
Where can you get vaccines? This includes places AstraZeneca vaccine is available ( MGP will not be providing this vaccine).
Auckland and Northland region details around the vaccination campaign
There has been a lot of media attention about the recent meningococcal outbreaks in New Zealand. Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that causes meningitis (swelling of the brain membranes) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can be quite difficult to diagnose as the initial symptoms appear similar to a bad cold of flu. It can develop quickly and immediate medical attention and treatment with antibiotics is very important.
There are vaccines available to protect against most of the different serogroups (types) of bacteria that cause Meningococcal disease. The types that cause most disease are A. B, C, W, and Y. Unfortunately, no single vaccine offers protection against all of these types but there are vaccines available that cover specific types.
The available vaccines are:
It takes at least 2 weeks for the vaccines to work after vaccination.
Until now, these vaccines have not been funded but on December 1st 2019, PHARMAC began funding ONE dose of the Menactra vaccine for young people aged 13 to 25 years, who are living in close quarters (University halls of residence, boarding schools)
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on 09 521 5128
For more information about Meningococcal disease, please visit:
The Immunisation Advisory Centre- Meningococcal Questions and more information 2020
We will continue working at Level 4, offering phone and video consults. We will have slightly shortened days from our usual hours . Our Doctors and Nurses will make appropriate arrangements with you, if an in-person assessment or a procedure is necessary.
The virtual bookings can still be arranged via the web portal.
The certificates are provided by MOH not General Practice- please follow this link to see how to get the certificate…
COVID-19: Requesting proof of vaccination for overseas travel | Ministry of Health NZ
As recommended by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and the Ministry of Health, we ask screening questions for respiratory and other viral symptoms, such as fever and diarrhoea, before making your appointment. The guidelines are that those with viral symptoms must not be in waiting rooms with others, to limit the spread of infection, both of COVID-19 and other viral illnesses. Most people are now unable to attend work, school or social gatherings, if they are unwell… and it affects our workforce too! This is also why we are still asking all adults to wear a mask to their appointments – we know it can be annoying but better safe than sorry!
We understand the perceived risk of COVID-19 in the community is low at present and this restriction may be frustrating for our patients. If you have respiratory or viral symptoms you will INITIALLY be offered a phone or video consultation. We are very experienced in assessing via video or phone and we can usually make a treatment plan which would not be altered by an examination in cases of mild to moderate illness.
Please be assured that we will arrange to see you within a few hours, either in the practice or your car, if we think you need an examination.
The COVID testing guidelines from the Ministry of Health remain the same, that anyone with COVID symptoms should be tested. Without maintaining steady testing of symptomatic people in the community, we cannot know if we have the virus circulating. We are able to offer testing in your car at the back of the practice, depending on weather and staff availability.
We have had to make a minor increase our fees to cover costs- click on services above and fees to see details.
Please phone to book via reception, online bookings will be opened soon. Remember a Covid-19 vaccine is the priority so be sure to allow 2 weeks prior or after completion of Covid vaccines before booking a flu vaccine.
Timing examples of necessary gaps required between vaccines:-
No flu vaccines can be given in the weeks spacing the 2 Covid vaccines.
The flu vaccines for people from 6 months to 64 years will be on the website to order from 1 May but will not be available for vaccination until around 10 May- we will update as the timing becomes clearer.
