Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to provide protection for you and your tamariki’s health. For more information view the NZ immunisation schedule. Ostend Medical Centre practice nurses are fully trained in giving immunisations. The safety of your child is their sole concern. Vaccinations are administered under strictly controlled conditions.

Your GP's surgery is far more than a place to go when you are feeling unwell and needing a quick cure. The doctor who sees you has gone through an extensive medical training to equip her or him to help children and adults of all ages with a range of physical and emotional difficulties. GPs are at the centre of the healthcare hub and will be aware of services and expertise that are available locally and further-a-field. GPs are also aware of the link that stress and unhappy life events have on physical health so know when to suggest a talking therapy rather than medication.

Primary care practices offer a range of services and are able to deal with most minor accident care. If they are not able to deal with an injury they will refer on to the appropriate service. There is no hospital on Waiheke Island, so Ostend Medical Centre provides a very wide range of accident and medical services, for both minor and more severe injuries. Patients who have had accidents sometimes interrupt a busy appointment schedule. This means that scheduled patients may have to wait longer than we would like. We thank you for your patience if this happens to you. The doctors at the Ostend Medical Centre routinely treat fractured bones (there is an X-ray unit here), suture lacerations and are trained in the emergency care of an injured patient. Patients with serious injuries are stabilised at this medical practice before being airlifted, or transported by sea, to Auckland City Hospital.

A patient portal is a secure online tool provided by GP practices that can allow convenient access to your health information as well as interaction with the practice e.g. booking appointments and requesting repeat prescriptions. Online bookings for appointments at Ostend Medical Centre are available through MyIndici https://myindici.co.nz/Account/Login You can also request repeat medications, review medical history, check test results etc

Each GP surgery or primary care practice will have its own procedure for repeat prescribing but the following rules are common to most, if not all. Patients who are well-known to the practice who have a stable condition like asthma, hypertension or diabetes could be allowed to get a repeat prescription for up to six months. Repeat prescriptions are never given to patients who are not known to the practice and there is probably a blanket ban on repeats for narcotics and other drugs that could be misused as doctors are expected to monitor these drugs carefully. Repeat prescriptions are issued to some patients on a telephone request. These patients must have stable medical conditions. All other patients must see a doctor to get a prescription. You must allow 48 hours from the lodging of your request until pick up. We encourage you to request your regular medications through the patient portal. https://myindici.co.nz/Account/Login If you have any problems with accessing your prescriptions, please contact the practice on 09 372 5005

Sometimes your doctor needs to take a sample of blood or urine either to discover what is wrong with you or to measure something in your blood so that the right medication is given to you. These tests could be anything from blood sugar to a full blood count or a sample of tissue to test for cancer. While urine can generally be tested in the surgery, blood and other specimens are usually sent away for testing at a laboratory. Most results come back within 48 hours unless a very rare test is needed which has to go to a specialist lab further away when it might take a little longer. Samples of blood for blood tests and certain other laboratory tests can be collected by the nurses at the Ostend Medical Centre although the principal collection site is at the Labtest offices under the Harcourts Building in Oneroa. Labtest is open from 7.00am till 2.00pm or by appointment after that. An appointment at Labtest is not necessary to have samples taken between 7.00am and 2.00pm. The results of your test will be available on the patient portal: https://myindici.co.nz/Account/Login All abnormal tests will be phoned through to patients although occasionally the doctor will need to see the patient to discuss the results. Normal results are not routinely phoned to patients. We encourage you to check your own results through the patient portal as above. If you are having any issues with access please phone through to the practice on 09 372 5005.

Minor surgery is commonly provided in primary care practices, providing fast, competent removal and biopsies of skin lesions. Other services include cosmetic work such as removal of benign moles and skin tags. Ingrown toenail surgery is also commonly provided. These conditions do not need to be referred to a hospital, perhaps saving you a long wait or a cancelled appointment when a more serious case takes priority. If your doctor is unable to provide the procedure you need, he/she may know a neighbouring GP who does. Otherwise, the PHO will have a list of GPs trained in particular operations. The doctors at Ostend Medical Centre are trained to do a wide variety of surgical procedures including: . skin cancer removal including cancers of the face . wart removal . ingrown toenails . removal of lumps. All surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic although one of our doctors has had training in anaesthesia and so sedation-type anaesthesia is also available. Dr Robert Kay has a contract to perform skin cancer surgery for the Auckland District Health Board and these procedures are undertaken at the Ostend Medical Centre. Certain patients can access this service and have most of the cost paid by the DHB; ask the receptionist if this could apply to you. Dr Robert Kay also provides skin lesion surgery at the Ostend Medical Centre for those who do not qualify for ADHB funding but would like to access the service privately. If you have health insurance, you may be able to claim for the skin surgery through your insurer depending on your health insurance package. To access Dr Kay's skin lesion surgery, you do not need to have a referral from your own GP. Phone through to reception and they will help make an appointment for you.

Liquid nitrogen is a fast, effective treatment provided in many practices to treat viral warts, sun damaged skin, skin tags and many benign cosmetic lesions. It comes in a container with a nozzle and is usually applied by swab or spray. Often one treatment is all that is needed but sometimes it may need repeating after two weeks. Because it cannot be stored for too long, you will often find that your GP will treat a number of patients one after the other. For more information click here. Ostend Medical Centre has several trained practice nurses who apply liquid nitrogen. The doctors are competent in determining which skin lesions need this treatment. An appointment is necessary.

LARC methods are very effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy and are “fit and forget” forms of contraception – you don’t need to remember them every day or every month. LARC methods: Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD or IUD) are inserted through the cervix into a woman’s uterus. IUCDs may be either hormonal (Mirena® or Jaydess® ) or non-hormonal (copper IUCD). Jadelle® is a hormone-releasing implant that is inserted just under the skin of the upper arm. Depending on the type of device, it will need to be changed after between three and ten years. Read more about LARC methods here You can have an IUCD fitted at Ostend Medical Centre. Please phone for an appointment to discuss whether this is the right kind of contraception for you.

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 69 who have ever had intimate skin-to-skin contact or been sexually active should have regular cervical screening. This includes women who have been immunised against HPV. Together, regular screening and HPV immunisation provide the best protection against cervical cancer. There are now more options for how you have cervical screening done: a simple vaginal swab test for HPV, either done yourself or with help from a healthcare professional a cervical sample taken by a healthcare professional (used to be known as a smear test). Talk with your healthcare provider to decide which option is best for you. If HPV is found, you may need to have a follow-up test or be referred directly for colposcopy. If you’ve not yet had HPV testing, you should be screened 3 years after your last test (or 1 year if immune deficient). Once you have had an HPV test, and providing HPV is not found, your next screening will be in 5 years (or 3 years if immune deficient). For more information: Cervical screening | Time to Screen - National Screening Unit Ostend Medical Centre has a number of nurses who are fully trained in taking smears. In addition, all of the doctors can take cervical smears. We strongly recommend that all women have regular smears. Cancers which are detected early are curable. We do have an evening clinic available for your convenience. Reception will be able to help you with the dates for this clinic which is held on a Tuesday evening from 5 - 7pm

An ECG is a recording of your heart's electrical activity. Electrode patches are attached to your skin to measure the electrical impulses given off by your heart. The result is a trace that can be read by a doctor. It can give information of previous heart attacks or problems with the heart rhythm. The nurses at Ostend Medical Centre are fully trained to take ECGs and the doctors can interpret them on site.

Spirometry is a tool that measures how effectively your lungs are working. It is able to show how much air lungs are able to hold (their volume) and how much air can be breathed in and out (inhaled and exhaled) which is called flow. This tool is used to assess damage caused by conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a group that includes bronchitis and emphysema), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and asthma. Results are shown on a graph called a pneumotachograph. For more information click on the following link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry Spirometry is available at Ostend Medical Centre.

All New Zealand children are entitled to 11 free health checks from birth to three years. The checks aim to ensure that children are growing and developing as well as possible. Included in the checks are clinical assessment, health education and family/whanau support. Baby checks are at birth and then at 24 hours, five days and around 2-4 weeks. Babies are weighed and measured to ensure that they are developing correctly. These sessions provide a great opportunity for parents to ask questions from an expert and have any problem addressed; difficulties with breastfeeding or sleep for example. They can also be used to discuss immunisations and vaccinations. These checks will be carried out by your lead maternity carer (LMC). Between the ages of 4-6 weeks and three years, there are seven core health checks available, typically these are around 4-6 weeks, 8-10 weeks, 3-4 months, 5-7 months, 9-12 months, 15-18 months and 2-3 years. These checks may be carried out by a Well Child Provider of your choice e.g. Plunket, Maori health provider, community nurse, a general practice team (doctor and practice nurse). Your LMC will be able to give you a list of Well Child Providers in your area. More information about Well Child services is available on the Ministry of Health website. Babies are checked on Waiheke Island, both by the doctors at the six-week postnatal check and by the child health nurse who is employed by the Waiheke Health Trust (phone 09 372 8096)

Another service offered to you at your GP surgery (primary care practice) is advice and immunisation before you go to another country. While you are likely to have the immunisations needed to live in New Zealand, there may be other injections you need to protect yourself before going for example to Africa or South America. In some places you will need protection from rabies or malaria. Yellow fever vaccinations are only available at approved centres; please click here to view the centres in New Zealand. Your doctor will be able to tell you what diseases you will need to be protected from in any named country and advise you on other medical matters.

Please book an appointment by calling our practice on 09 372 5005. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step you can take to protect yourself, your kaumātua and whānau from the effects of the virus. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines and eligibility visit Ministry of Health - COVID-19 vaccines The majority of routine vaccinations can now be administered before, after, or at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccinations. The exception to this is the Zostavax (shingles) vaccine where a 7-day gap before or after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 is advised. If you have any questions, please discuss with your healthcare provider. Please book an appointment by calling our practice on 09 372 5005. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step you can take to protect yourself, your kaumātua and whānau from the effects of the virus. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines and eligibility visit Ministry of Health - COVID-19 vaccines The majority of routine vaccinations can now be administered before, after, or at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccinations. The exception to this is the Zostavax (shingles) vaccine where a 7-day gap before or after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 is advised. If you have any questions, please discuss with your healthcare provider.

Our service can help you request and print the following documents: International Travel Vaccination Certificate Your vaccination record Please call into reception and ask for help accessing and/or printing a My Vaccine Pass and we will be able to help you.

Our service can assist you to print and apply for a Face Mask Exemption Pass.

Because pregnancy care is so important for your health and the health of your baby, it is free for all NZ citizens, residents and many other visa holders. Your midwife will give you advice on keeping yourself healthy in pregnancy and you will be offered regular appointments so your midwife can monitor your progress. Your midwife will be looking out for any signs that you or your baby are becoming unwell. Some conditions in pregnancy may not be obvious to the untrained eye, so attending appointments is vital. Your midwife will order blood tests and ultrasound scans as required. Please make sure you undertake these tests promptly so that any problems can be detected early. If any problems are indentified you will be referred to a hospital specialist, who will make a plan of care with you and your midwife. Your midwife will talk to you about what you want for your pregnancy and will plan your care with you. You will be asked to think about the kind of labour and birth you would like and your preferences will be recorded. It is a good idea to attend a childbirth education course, especially if this is your first baby.

If your midwife is self-employed, they will attend your labour and birth. In the event that they are away or busy, they will have arranged a back-up midwife to be available instead. Make sure you know who the back-up is and how to contact them. If your midwife is a hospital-based community midwife, your labour and birth care will be provided by a hospital-based midwife. Please ensure you know the correct number to call for both your community midwife and the hospital birthing suite directly. Make sure you understand the signs of labour and when to call your midwife. Every labour and birth is different and not all go according to plan. Make sure you understand what can happen and be prepared to change your birth plan. Your midwife will talk to you about what may happen and also about what strategies you can use to manage labour pain. Some midwives provide care for women who have been given an epidural by an anaesthetist, have an oxytocin drip and abnormal fetal heart trace, others do not. Please check to see if the midwife you choose offers these services.

Home visits provide an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you have about your health or the health of your baby. Your midwife will assist you with breastfeeding and will monitor your baby's growth and development. Your midwife will visit you the day after you get home. You will then receive between 5 and 10 visits until your baby is around 4-6 weeks old. It is important to let your midwife know where you are, if you are planning to stay at another address after the birth.