News

Prescriptions

Prescriptions are now all sent electronically direct to your preferred pharmacy by your Doctor, you will no longer receive a paper copy of your script

Faxed prescriptions were phased out in December 2020 as part of our move to a paperless system

Patients who request a repeat script will receive a text from their Doctor to inform them when it has been processed and sent to their pharmacy to collect.  They will then be emailed their invoice to be paid online.

DH Cosmetic Clinic

Durham Health has launched their Cosmetic Clinic with Dr Aspell.  Further information about the 8+ different treatments and how to book can be here.

“Successful cosmetic treatments are about keeping people guessing: ‘Have they or haven't they?’ The only people that should know the answer are you and your cosmetic doctor"

Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning is a way to help you think about, talk about and share your thoughts and wishes about your future health care. It is focusd on and involves both you and the health care professionals responsible for your care. it can also involve your whanau/family and/ carers if that is your wish. 

Now is the best time to consider taking part in advance care planning converstions before you become seriously unwell. Planning will help you, and those around you to understand what is important to you and what treatment and care you would like.  You can set out what you want or hope for in an advance care plan. You should keep your plan up to date, especially if things change. Recording your choices or wishes is voluntary. It  will make it easier for those important to you and your healthcare providers to use this information to decide what treatment and care you would want if you are unable to tell them yourself.

Want to know more? Talk to your GP or Practice Nurse Tracey about the medical choices you might have in the future. Ask our staff for a copy of the Advance Care Plan and Guide.

Appointment Reminders

Due to an increasing number of patients who make appointments and "DO Not Attend" we have extended the text reminder service we have been utilising for results and accounts to appointments. All text go out approximately 2pm the day before your appointment. You do not have to call to confirm but we do request you call to cancel the appointment should you no longer require it. We have been over whelmed at times with demand for Doctor appointments. We want to ensure we can always fit in those acutely unwell and needing medical attention. It is really important everyone plays their part in cancelling appointments made and no longer required. Repeat offenders who DNA and do not let us know will be offered nurse triage appointments in the first instance. We would also like to remind everyone that we can charge for appointments not attended including those for the under 13's. To prevent this being the next step in managing the problem we respectfully request appointments only be made that are needed and cancelled in time for another person to utilise the slot. We appreciate emergencies happen and its not always possible to cancel in time.

Respect

The team at Durham Health strongly advocates and supports the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. This ensures everyone is treated with respect regardless of their cultural differences, religion, social or ethnic grouping.

These basic human rights also carry to our very hardworking staff. The management will not tolerate any form of racist demeaning personal comments aimed at our staff.

If you feel unable to connect with a particular doctor it is your choice to request you do not see them again. You do not have the right to be abusive.

If you have a serious concern about the treatment you have received then we request you document it formally as per our complaints policy and forward to the practice manager.

Patients who cannot be respectful will be asked to enrol with another practice.