Our Services

Zolendronate is given to help treat and increase bone density in people with osteoporosis. It is given via intravenous infusion over a period of 45 minutes every 12 to 18 months.  

For more information about Aclasta infusions visit here

An advanced care plan involves thinking and talking about how you would like to be cared for in the future including your end of life care. 

An advanced care plan can include things like:

• Who your whānau members are.

• Your pets and what might happen to them.

• Your values.

• The ways you would like those caring for you to look after you.

• Your spiritual and emotional needs.

• The type of funeral you would like.

• Whether you wish to donate organs.

• Where your important papers and documents are.

• Whether you have an enduring power of attorney (EPOA) or advance directive

For more information about Advanced Care Planning go to:

https://www.myacp.org.nz/your-plan

To download a copy of the Advanced Care Plan booklet click on the link below

ACP Plan Printable

or ask your GP or nurse for a copy of the booklet

Nurses can provide blood pressure checks and we also have blood pressure monitors that can be hired for home blood pressure monitoring

Blood tests can be done by our nursing team at the surgery but incur a fee.  Awanui labs offer free blood testing for most patients.  Patients can drop into a collection centre but there may be a wait while booked patients are seen.  To book an appointment call 03 359 0900 or book online at https://www.awanuilabs.co.nz/south/canterbury/

All women between 25 and 70 years old who have ever been sexually active should have regular cervical screening.

For most women this is now a self swab done at the medical centre to test for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer. 

For some women (including those who have a community services card) the cost to have an HPV screening self swab is FREE.

For more information about cervical screening go to:

https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/cancer-screening/cervical-screening

A CVD or cardio vascular disease risk assessment, is a type of screening tool that measures your risk of heart disease.

We are now able to give Covid boosters at the practice. Boosters can be given 6 months after your last booster. You should also wait 6 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccines.

Our nurses work closely with patients to provide support and education to assist people with diabetes management in collaboration with our Health Coach and practitioners including offering lifestyle advice around nutrition, activity and foot care.

Driving medicals, including those for heavy vehicles require a 15 minute appointment with the nurse followed by a 15 minute appointment with the GP.  Driving medicals are not funded so incur a higher fee than a normal consultation.

One of the simplest and fastest tests used to evaluate the heart. this is done by placing small sticky patches at certain places on the chest, arms and legs. The electrodes from the ECG machine are then connected to patches which generate recordings of your heart beat

Flu vaccinations are given from around 1st April each year.  It is recommended that a yearly flu vaccine is given for everyone over 6 months old. The vaccine is free for ages 65 and over, pregnant women and for other people with certain health conditions.  

For more information about the flu vaccine and who is eligible visit:

https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/flu-vaccine

HPV(Human Papillomavirus) is a group of virus spread by skin to skin contact very common virus.  Some are sexually transmitted and can cause warts. An HPV infection can also go on to cause several types of cancer.  

Gardasil is an HPV vaccine that immunises against a number of the HPV’s . It is now available FREE to both boys and girls aged 9-26 years.

For more information about the HPV vaccine go to:

https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/hpv-human-papillomavirus-vaccine

Scheduled childhood vaccinations are free. A reminder will be sent when a child’s vaccination becomes due and notification will be given if a new funded vaccination becomes available. 

For more information about the National Immunisation Schedule visit:

https://info.health.nz/immunisations/national-immunisation-schedule

Our nurses are able to give a variety of injections including B12, Zoladex, Depo and Sustanon

Most insurance medicals require a 30 minute appointment with the GP and some also require a nurse appointment.  It is helpful to let the receptionist know what your medical involves prior to your appointment so they can make the correct booking for you.

An iron infusion is a way to treat iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia when oral iron supplements aren’t effective or suitable.

The iron solution, often mixed with saline, is administered slowly over a period of time, which can range from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the type of iron preparation. 

Iron infusions can quickly increase iron levels, which may be necessary in cases of severe iron deficiency, before surgery, or in specific medical conditions like kidney disease. 

Iron infusions may be funded if you meet certain conditions and can be administered by a nurse at the practice.

Intravenous antibiotic treatment can be given at the surgery for conditions such as cellulitis to avoid being admitted to hospital.  This may be funded under the acute demand service where appropriate.

IUD (Intrauterine devices) can be inserted and removed by our trained clinical team members.  The cost of the device is free to all women and many women will also be eligible to have the IUD inserted for free (including those that have a community services card).

An initial appointment with a GP is needed for a discussion around contraception and a script for the device will be issued.   You will then need to book a longer appointment with one of our clinical team.

For more information about IUDs visit:

https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/i/intrauterine-devices-iud-for-contraception/

Our Heath Coach Jan is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays to offer free lifestyle advice and can be booked with reception.

Liquid nitrogen is used to treat skin conditions such as warts and verrucas by freezing the area for a few seconds.  Some conditions require repeat treatments.

Services include punch biopsies, toe nail resections, excision and drainage of cysts and abscesses, excision biopsies and skin lesion/cancer removals.

These procedures require an initial appointment for assessment followed by a longer follow up appointment for the procedure and incur a higher fee than a standard visit. An estimate price can be given prior to the procedure.

Finding it hard to reach and trim your toenails? Book in with one of our nursing team, who offer a nail cutting service

A pregnancy test can be done by one of our nurses via a urine test or a blood test

The nurses are able to offer full STI screening and give advice. this involves taking a history and organising swabs, urine or blood tests

Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of the face, body or head.

The shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is recommended for anyone aged 50 years or over and is free for the 12 months after your 65th birthday and for people aged over 18 years with specific immunity conditions. 

Two doses of the vaccine are given 2 to 6 months apart.  

If you are not 65 years old you can expect it to cost between $600 to $800 for both doses.

For information about the shingles vaccine go to -https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/shingles-

Skin checks can be booked with one of our clinical team. If there are multiple areas that need checking it is best to book a double appointment with the GP. If a lesion needs further investigation your GP may recommend having a biopsy. This will be booked for an additional longer appointment at the surgery.

Our Health Coach Jan can offer initial advice and support around smoking cessation. A follow- up appointment can be then be made with a GP for cessation medication or for a referral to a Quit Coach who offer free smoking support to anyone in Canterbury

Non-scheduled or non funded vaccinations can be given by our nurses. Pre-payment is required for each vaccine prior to being ordered in.

Our nurses are highly trained in wound care management. We have a variety of products that can be used to achieve the best outcome for each individual. This service may be subsidised under ACC.