Auckland Medical Specialists (AMS) - Neurology Services

Auckland Medical Specialists, 183 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland

Contact Details

Phone (09) 638 9945
Fax (09) 638 9947
Email referrals@aucklandmed.co.nz
Healthlink EDI: akmdspec

Street Address

183 Gillies Avenue
Epsom
Auckland 1023

Postal Address

183 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, 1023

Description

What is Neurology?
Neurology is the study of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves), how it controls various parts of the body and the diseases and disorders that may affect it.
 
The brain coordinates how we think and what we do physically as well as controlling how the body manages itself.  It sends messages to, and receives information from, the rest of the body via a complex system of nerves which use chemicals and electricity to send information.
 
The nervous system can be divided into the
  • voluntary nervous system which controls what we choose to do and the
  • involuntary or autonomic nervous system that controls automatic functions that we don’t have to think about.
 A medical specialist in this field is a Neurologist.  A Neurosurgeon is a surgeon who operates on parts of the nervous system.  The two specialists often work together, depending on the problem.

Staff

Our Neurology team is filled with highly experienced general Neurologists who each have special interests as listed below. 

Prof Alan Barber - Stroke 
Dr Alison Charleston - MND, Geriatric
Dr Barry Snow - Parkinsons 
Dr Edward Wong - Stroke 
Dr Kiri Brickell - Cognitive 
Dr Elizabeth Walker - Epilepsy 
Dr Peter Bergin - Epilepsy 
Dr Rosamund Hill - Headache/Migrane 
Dr Sunayana Sasikumar - Epilepsy 
Dr Viswas Dayal - DBS, Movement disorder
Dr Richard Frith & Dr Dean Kilfoyle - NCS/EMG only 
Dr Rakesh Patel - General paediatric

Consultants

Referral Expectations

Your GP will refer you to see a neurologist if they think you have a problem that involves the nervous system and that needs specialist help in diagnosing or treating that condition.
 
A history of your symptoms will be taken as well as a review of any medications you are on (so please bring these with you).  The doctor may also review any old notes and previous problems you have had. 
You will then be examined which may include a general examination as well as an examination of the nervous system.  An examination of the brain and nerves may include testing your memory and concentration as well as other aspects of thinking processes.  It also involves examining how well the nerves to your head and body are working. You may have further testing to establish the diagnosis.
 
The specialist will discuss with you the possible diagnosis and what further tests or treatments are recommended.  They will correspond with your GP about your diagnosis, results of tests and a treatment plan.  
 
You may also be referred to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.  A physiotherapist provides physical therapy to assist with any disability you have.  An occupational therapist reviews what equipment/advice will assist in activities of daily living if you have a disability. 
 
ACC Patients
A patient's referring doctor must first send a letter to ACC requesting coverage for a neurological consultation - a Claims Manager will then be assigned to the patient. The Claims Manager will courier the referring documents to us and include with the documents a purchase order number under the service code MSDA1 or MSDA2.  Both the purchase order number and a service code from the Case Manager are needed to cover the specialist neurological consultation, and we can not see any ACC patients without these.
 
The exception here is with ACC Nerve Conduction Studies and EMGs - no purchase order number or service code is required for these specific tests.

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Fees apply

Fees and Charges Description

Initial Consultation:          The fee varies per Doctor

 

Follow-Up Consultation:  The fee varies per Doctor

 

Health Insurance Claims

Southern Cross Health Insurance: 

Some, but not all, of the neurologists at Auckland Medical Specialists have elected to become part of the Southern Cross Affiliated Provider Programme. If you have Southern Cross health insurance and have an appointment to see a neurologist on the Affiliated Provider Programme, we will gain prior approval from Southern Cross for your appointment on your behalf. We will let you know at the time of your appointment if there is any payment shortfall to be made. Any shortfall will be dependent on your insurance policy.

If you have an appointment to see a neurologist who has opted not be part of the Affiliated Provider Programme, you will not be able to make a claim from Southern Cross for the appointment unless you have an Ultracare policy.  

Please check with Southern Cross Health Insurance if you have any queries regarding your policy, the Affiliated Provider Programme and the recent significant changes that Southern Cross Health Insurance have made regarding claiming for specialist consultations.

All other Health Insurance Companies:

If you have health insurance with any other insurance company you will be required to pay at the time of your consultation and send the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement (depending on your policy).  You may wish to apply to your insurance company for prior approval for the consultation for your own peace of mind. However you will still be asked to pay in full at the time of your consultation.

Hours

8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sat 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Occasional early evening and Saturday morning appointments available.

Closed on Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Closed Auckland Anniversary (26 Jan), Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Sunday (5 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), ANZAC Day (observed) (27 Apr), King's Birthday (1 Jun), Matariki (10 Jul), Labour Day (26 Oct).
Christmas: Open 22 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 26 Dec. Open 27 Dec. Closed 28 Dec. Open 29 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 2 Jan. Open 3 Jan. Closed 4 Jan. Open 5 Jan — 9 Jan.

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
Electromyography (EMG)
Radiology (Neurology)
Epilepsy
Parkinson's disease
Headache / migraines
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Motor neurone disease (MND)

Disability Assistance

Wheelchair access, Wheelchair accessible toilet, Mobility parking space

Additional Details

Face to face / Kanohi ki te Kanohi, Phone, Online / virtual / app, Speak with women / wahine, Speak with men / tane, Child / Tamariki friendly

Travel Directions

Travelling from South

  • Take the Market Rd exit and turn left
  • Right turn at lights into Great South Rd
  • Travel to main intersection of Manukau Rd & Great South Rd lights
  • Straight ahead into Alpers Ave (one way street)
  • Left turn into Gillies Ave
  • Drive approximately 750m along Gillies Ave
  • You will see us on the right-hand side of the road, almost opposite Southern Cross Gillies Ave Hospital

Travelling from North

  • Take the Gillies Ave exit
  • Turn right at the traffic lights, on to Gillies Ave
  • Drive approximately 1km along Gillies Ave
  • You will see us on the right-hand side of the road, almost opposite Southern Cross Gillies Ave Hospital

Public Transport

We recommend the Auckland Transport website

This website will provide you with information on the public transport available in your area as well as prices, timetables and a journey planner

Parking

There is parking available on site (including disabled)

Parking is also available on Gillies Ave between 9am-4pm

Pharmacy

find your nearest pharmacy here- https://healthpoint.co.nz/pharmacy/

Website

www.aucklandmedicalspecialists.co.nz/

https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/private/neurology/auckland-medical-specialists-ams-neurology/