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Dr Kristine (Pek Ling) Ng - Consultant Rheumatologist

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Description

Dr Kristine Ng is a specialist Rheumatologist who divides her time professionally between Waitemata District Health Board and private rooms at the Northern Clinic, Glenfield.
 
She was born in Malaysia and graduated with honours from the University of New South Wales School of Medicine in Sydney, Australia. She became a consultant in 2004 after completing dual rheumatology and general internal medicine training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Dr Ng was awarded the Rose Hellaby Medical Scholarship enabling her to undertake postgraduate clinical research at University College London (UCL), United Kingdom before returning to New Zealand in 2009.
 
Whilst she sees all Rheumatology conditions, her sub-specialty interests include Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Inflammatory Myositis, Sjogren's and Scleroderma. Her research in the UK centred on novel and targeted therapies for autoimmune diseases. She is experienced in biologic therapies for autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
 
Dr Ng has published in major peer reviewed journals and contributed to text book chapters. She has ongoing research interests with active involvement in international collaborative studies and is a Principal Investigator in a number of clinical trials.
 
She serves as a medical advisor for the Scleroderma NZ Association.
 
She has an active teaching role as Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in Medicine at the University of Auckland and is an FRACP college supervisor for rheumatology advanced trainees.
 
She is a Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) fellow. She is a member of the New Zealand Rheumatology Association (NZRA), American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Auckland Chinese Medical Association (ACMA) and Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australia & New Zealand (PHSANZ).
 
Kristine initiated the ACMA mentorship programme in 2014 and was in the ACMA executive committee from 2014-2018. She continues to be a mentor in the ACMA mentorship programme.
  
What is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology is the specialty of medicine that includes arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Arthritis means inflammation of a joint. A joint is where two or more bones meet and move in relation to each other. They are separated by a rubbery substance called cartilage which is smooth and slippery, allowing for easy movement. Cartilage covers the end of each bone. Tendons and ligaments attach bones to muscles and other bones. Cartilage, tendons and ligaments are enclosed within a membrane around the joint which releases a fluid into the joint space to keep it well lubricated.
Autoimmune disease is where an abnormality in the immune system leads to the body’s defence harming its own cells by mistake.

A rheumatologist is a doctor who has specialised in this area of medicine. Your GP or another specialist will refer you to see a rheumatologist if they think you have an autoimmune disorder or if they need assistance diagnosing or treating arthritis.

Consultants

  • Dr Kristine (Pek Ling) Ng

    Rheumatologist BSc (Med) MBBS (Hons) (UNSW) FRACP, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in Medicine - University of Auckland

Hours

Mon – Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Dr Kristine Ng consults every Thursday.

Public Holidays: Closed on all public holidays.

Referral Expectations

Your GP or another specialist will refer you to Dr Ng if they think you may have arthritis or an autoimmune disease and they require a specialist opinion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of the condition.

Please ring Dr Ng's  rooms at The Northern Clinic Rheumatology Centre to make a booking.

Prior to coming to your appointment you may be asked to undergo tests such as blood tests or x-rays. Please bring all available x-rays, blood results or relevant medical correspondence if applicable.
At your appointment, a history of your symptoms will be taken, as well as a review of any medications you are on (so please bring these or an updated medication list with you). You will then be examined which may include a general examination or only examination of your joints, depending on what condition your specialist is looking for. You may have further testing to establish the diagnosis.

Dr Ng will discuss with you the possible diagnosis and what further tests or treatments are recommended. Dr Ng will contact your GP about your diagnosis, results of tests and a treatment plan. You may have ongoing follow-up with Dr Ng or be discharged back to the care of your GP.

You may also be referred to a physiotherapist, orthotist, or occupational therapist:

  • A physiotherapist provides physical therapy to assist with any disability you have.
  • An orthotist provides practical aids/footwear to help in overcoming any disability.
  • An occupational therapist reviews what equipment/advice will assist in activities of daily living if you have a disability.

Tests that may be required during or after your visit to the clinic include the following:

Joint Aspiration
Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin to numb the area and then a needle similar in size to that used to take a blood test is inserted into the space of your joint to take a sample of fluid. This is then sent to the laboratory for testing to aid in the diagnosis of your arthritis.


Radiology
X-rays are useful to examine joints and these may be requested of joints that give you pain and sometimes joints that have no symptoms to help with the diagnosis.
An X-ray is a high frequency, high energy wave form. It cannot be seen with the naked eye, but can be picked up on photographic film.

Ultrasound  uses sonar waves instead of x-ray to obtain images of joints and tendons to assist with the diagnosis of the rheumatic condition. It is frequently used to assist diagnosis of shoulder problems. Ultrasound may also be used in accurate placement of a corticosteroid injection.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) gives even more detailed pictures of joints and organs so may be requested.
An MRI machine does not work like an X-ray or CT; it is used for exact images of internal organs and body structures. This method delivers clear images without the exposure of radiation.
The procedure uses a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves which results in an image being made using the MRI’s computer.

Common Conditions

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

    RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints.… More

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

    This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system harms cells of the body.  It can affect the joints, skin, nervous system, kidneys and heart.  It is a disease for which there is no cure.… More

  • Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

    Psoriatic Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that may cause joint pain and swelling, scaly patches on areas of skin and thickening/pitting of the finger nails.… More

  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

    Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition affecting predominantly the shoulders and hips in people over the age of 50.… More

  • Osteoarthritis (OA)

    Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected.… More

  • Fibromyalgia

    This is a syndrome of widespread aches, pains and fatigue.… More

Charges

Please contact the Rheumatology Centre at Northern Clinic for consultation charges.

The initial routine consultation is 1 hour duration and routine follow ups are 30min. Joint injection charges are additional to consultation fees.

Cancellation policy: We realise your schedule may change and you may need to change your appointment. It is appreciated if you can give us at least 2 days' notice if you need to reschedule your appointment.

A full consultation fee may be incurred if an appointment has been confirmed and subsequently not attended without notification.

Dr Ng is a Southern Cross Affiliated provider for most services.

Document Downloads

Travel Directions

Northern Clinic:  http://www.healthpoint.co.nz/north-shore-waitakere-rodney/northern-clinic-medical-surgical-centre/

Parking

Free patient parking is provided in front of the building.  There is currently construction occurring in the building and around the carpark, so please allow some extra time to get to your appointment.

Pharmacy

There is a Unichem Pharmacy on the ground floor of Northern Clinic.

Contact Details

Northern Clinic - Southern Cross North Harbour Campus, 212 Wairau Road, Wairau Valley, Auckland

North Auckland

  • Phone

    (09) 442 1525

  • Fax

    (09) 442 1526

  • Healthlink EDI

    northern

Rheumatology Centre
Level 1
Northern Clinic
212 Wairau Road
Glenfield
North Shore City 0627

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Street Address

Rheumatology Centre
Level 1
Northern Clinic
212 Wairau Road
Glenfield
North Shore City 0627

Postal Address

Kristine Ng Rheumatology Limited
Rheumatology Centre
Level 1
Northern Clinic
212 Wairau Road
Glenfield, North Shore City 0627

This page was last updated at 9:41AM on December 1, 2019. This information is reviewed and edited by Dr Kristine (Pek Ling) Ng - Consultant Rheumatologist.