Nurse Services

Evelyne, Sally and Yvonne, our practice nurses, are committed to ongoing education and attend ongoing workshops and seminars on a regular basis. They are available for a variety of nurse services that include:

Cervical Smears

The NZ National Cervical screening Program recommends all sexually active women should be screened between the ages of 20 to 70 years. Cancer of the cervix is the most preventable of all cancers. By having regular cervical smears abnormal cell changes can be treated effectively before the abnormal cellular changes become cancerous.

The best time to have a smear is the week after your period has finished. If you are no longer having periods then it can be done at any time.

The practice operates a recall system where each women is reminded three times over a three month period that her smear is due We appreciate acknowledgement when a recall is sent. We are proud of our results – the high level of smear uptake by the women of our practice reduces their risks of cervical cancer.

Both Nurses or Doctors are available by appointment Monday to Friday.

Costs: $31 by the Nurses

Vaccinations

The practice runs a very effective system for vaccinations it is most important that appointments are made soon after receiving a reminder; to ensure full vaccination protection is continued. If there is difficulty in getting to the surgery please let the nurse know as we can arrange the Southland Immunisation co-ordinator to come to your home on our behalf.

Childhood Immunisations.

Vaccinations commence at six weeks and childhood immunisatons are completed at 11yrs. This service remains free.

Adult Immunisations.

Tetanus boosters are recommended at 45yrs and 65yrs providing the initial course has been completed to 11 yrs.

A Booster may be given earlier at the discretion of the Doctor. No charge if given at the time of a visit to the Doctor. Cost is $31 if administered at a Nurse’s Clinic.

Flu Vaccinations

Practice strongly recommends this. These are given annually in Autumn to give protection against influenza.

Please note the influenza vaccine is not effective against the common cold.

People under the age of 65 with Chronic illnesses which including diabetes, asthma, kidney, cardiac malignancy along with all those patients 65 years and over are entitled to free influenza vaccines.

The flu vaccine is available to others who do not fit the above criteria for $33.

Appointments for flu vaccine need to be made with the practice nurses.

Overseas Vaccinations

For travel to some countries additional vaccine protection is recommended. These differ from country to country and an appointment with the doctor is advised to see what is needed. It’s possible, depending upon the country you are going to visit, the doctor may wish to discuss other issues, (such as malarial prevention) that may be needed. Please don’t leave these arrangements to the last minute.

Exercise & Nutrition Clinic (Sue Vercoe)

I run this clinic for Patients wishing to lose weight, for those with high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes etc.

The first appointment takes about 1 hour, during which time the patient is weighed and measured, long term and short term goals are set, cooking and eating habits are discussed and improved upon. All of these conditions can be dramatically improved by healthy nutrition and regular exercise.

An exercise that is suitable and enjoyable to the patient is discussed, and a program is suggested.

Usually a Green Prescription is offered to the patient, which gives them three free sessions to Splash Palace to help start aqua jogging or swimming, or five free sessions to one of three gyms that offer the same service.

This is followed up by Paula, the Green Prescription Co-coordinator from Sport Southland, who offers different pamphlets and vouchers along the sporting lines as well as backup phone contact once a month.

This first hour costs $40, and follow-up sessions (usually once every month or fortnightly depending on the patient’s requirements) is charged at $10 per 15 minutes. Usually these sessions take 10 – 20 minutes.

There are many happy people now well established on healthy eating and exercise regimes – it may take a while to get back to normal, but it can be done with determination and encouragement.
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45y old “Warrant of fitness” checks

We are not just here to look after people when they are sick, rather we also see it as an important role to keep you well. Preventative health care is important.

We recall all our patients for a comprehensive health checkup at about the time of their 45th birthday. As part of this check up we use some very smart tools such as the cardiovascular risk assessment analysis provided by the Best Practice Advocacy Centre BPAC . This service involves taking a history of individual and families, measurements and blood tests. It is best booked in advance so that the appropriate tests can be ordered. A non standard consultation fee applies for this service.
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Smoking Cessation

There is increased research into the fact that people that quit smoking are more likely to adhere to the program and achieve their goal if they have back up counseling.

We run one on one nursing sessions for patients wishing to quit smoking. These clinics are one-to-one, however patients are most welcome to bring a support person. First appointments take approximately one hour. During this appointment we look at the patients history of smoking, benefits of quitting, setting a quit date, looking at barriers and implementing strategies to overcome any barriers. I have available numerous materials and pamphlets. I am also qualified to prescribe Nicotine Patches and gum to those patients who may need it.

The first counselling consultation costs $40.00.

Follow up sessions are $10 per 15 minute sessions. These follow up appointments take approximately 15 minutes, depending on the patient needs. Back up phone calls are provided.
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Cardiovascular Risk Checks

In keeping with the increasing emphasis of early detection and modification of risk factors for chronic disease such as diabetes and ischaemic heart disease we are pleased to offer these health checkups.

They are funded from Southern PHO for some people depending upon age and ethnicity.

A limited number of free checks are available for:

• Male Europeans aged 45 to 74
• Male Maori, Pacific Island or Indian aged 35 to 74
• Female European aged 55 to 74
• Female Maori Pacific Island or Indian aged 45 to 74

This check is with a nurse. If significant findings are found and require a doctor’s appointment then usual fees apply.

Also available from Nurse services:

• STD Checks
• Contraceptive Advice and Emergency Contraception.
• Depo provera.
• Pregnancy Testing.
• Blood Pressure and Weight measurements.
• Asthma Education.
• General Advice.
• 45y old “Warrant of fitness” checks