December Newsletter 2024
December Newsletter 2024
Kia ora,
Merry Christmas, (Meri Kirihimete) to all our Customers & Whānau.
As Christmas approaches and we wrap up another year, the Hastings and Havelock North Health Centres want to take a moment to wish you all a joyful and safe holiday season. We are grateful for your continued support throughout the year and look forward to serving you in 2025.
Medications and Repeat Prescriptions Over the Holiday Period
To ensure a stress-free holiday season, we encourage you to plan. Please check your medication supply now to ensure you have enough to last the two-week holiday period from December 23rd to January 3rd. If you think you are going to require a repeat prescription during this time, please order it early, as we get busy around the holidays. Remember repeat prescriptions are subject to a fee.
Holiday Hours:
Havelock North Health Centre
- Closed for public holidays.
- Limited service with ‘On the Day’ bookings only.
- Dr. McKendry will be available on December 23rd, 24th, and 27th.
- Dr. McMaster will be available on December 30th and January 3rd.
- For urgent care, the Hastings Health Centre Urgent Care facility will be open every day.
Hastings Health Centre:
- General Practice will be closed for public holidays and will offer limited services with ‘On the Day’ bookings only over the holiday period. You will not be able to book via Manage My Health. A reminder of suite phone numbers:
Mairangi is 06 873 8551
Ngahere is 06 873 8553
Waimoana is 06 873 8554
- Urgent Care will remain open every day, including public holidays, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Be prepared for long waits, as it can be a busy time. You will be triaged and seen based on the severity of your condition.
- Pharmacy will remain open every day including public holidays from 8am – 8pm.
- Radiology is not open on the public holidays and will operate 8am -5pm over the 2 week period.
GP and Nurse Appointments
GP and nurse appointments are typically 15 minutes, which is sufficient to address one medical issue. If you wish to discuss multiple concerns, please inform the receptionist so a double appointment slot can be booked (additional fees may apply). We recommend booking your appointments in advance to avoid disappointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible via reception or through Manage My Health. Failure to cancel appointments in a timely manner may result in a missed appointment fee.
Booking via phone or Manage My Health (MMH) Portal
MMH is our patient portal. Please ask your reception for more information if you haven’t already signed up. It is a quick and easy way of booking with your GP for non-urgent bookings or for scripts. Urgent bookings can be made via phones. Note that the phones are very busy between 8am – 11am. If your booking is not urgent, please phone in after 11am.
Payment for Consultations
We kindly ask for prompt payment for consultations. You can pay at the counter or online. If paying online, please ensure you include your full name, invoice number, NHI and chart number for reference. If you are having difficulty paying your bill in full, please ask about payment options at reception—we can arrange automatic payments for you.
Have We Got Your Correct Contact Details?
To ensure we can communicate effectively with you, please take a moment to verify your address and email details at your next appointment. We send invoices and newsletters via email for efficiency, and accurate details ensure you don’t miss out on important information.
Changes in Technology at Hastings Health Centre
Several of our GPs are beginning to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in summarising consultations. The AI, ‘Heidi’ is being used as a scribing tool; it is not a diagnostic tool. If you prefer not to have AI used during your consultation, let your GP know at the start of your visit. If you want to know about Heidi and how it is used, please go to our website for further information.
Thank you once again for choosing us for your healthcare needs. We wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all in the new year!
Ngā mihi
Patient Support Services
Hastings Health Centre.