Do I qualify for a free flu vaccination?

• ♥ Pregnant women
• ♥ all people 65 years of age and over; or
• ♥ people under 65 years of age who have any of the following diseases:
• ♥ ischaemic heart disease, or
• ♥ congestive heart failure, or
• ♥ rheumatic heart disease, or
• ♥ congenital heart disease, or
• ♥ cerebrovascular disease; or
• ♥ asthma, if on a regular preventative therapy, or
• ♥ other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function;(a) or
• ♥ have diabetes; or
• ♥ have chronic renal disease; or
• ♥ have any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive; or
• ♥ autoimmune disease(b), or
• ♥ immune suppression or immune deficiency, or
• ♥ HIV, or
• ♥ transplant recipients, or
• ♥ neuromuscular and CNS diseases/disorders(c), or
• ♥ haemoglobinopathies(d), or
• ♥ are children on long term aspirin, or
• ♥ have a cochlear implant, or
• ♥ errors of metabolism at risk of major metabolic decompensation, or
• ♥ pre and post splenectomy, or
• ♥ downs syndrome, or
• ♥ children aged four years and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness;
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  Can I get a blood test at Kendal Medical Centre?

  A blood test is only able to be ordered following a doctor's appointment. After the doctor has recommended the required tests, our nurse is able to take your blood sample for you. There is a cost of $18 for this service. You are also very welcome to have your sample taken at no charge at Awanui Labs. Their nearest branches are to be found at Langdons Road, St Georges hospital and Riccarton. They will still send us the result electronically.

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  How do I find out about my test results?

  We will definitely contact you if your test results show something concerning. In many cases we will text you or send you a portal message about your results. Your test results are available to view in your patient Portal (MyIndici) and your doctor will have written a comment next to each result to help you understand it. You are welcome to ring or message us if you are concerned about your results. info@kendal.co.nz

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  Does Kendal Medical Centre have a patient portal for me to see my health records on the internet?

  Yes. We have a secure patient portal, called MyIndici which is available to all patients over 16years. Patients under 16years can also be linked into a parent's portal. From your portal you can see your health information eg.test results, book appointments, order prescriptions, and pay your account. For security reasons the portal functions within Australia and New Zealand only. Please ask at reception if you wish to join.

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  Will I be reminded when my children’s vaccinations are due?

  Our paediatric specialist nurse, Mel will contact you when your children’s immunizations are due. This is usually combined with a doctor’s check up and is a free service.

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  Can I have my travel vaccinations at Kendal Medical Centre?

  We are able to advise on and administer most travel vaccinations. A doctor’s appointment will be required initially and you will need to let us know your exact destinations. Please remember that most vaccinations need to be commenced two to three weeks before departure. We are unable to give yellow fever or rabies vaccinations.

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  Can I have my moles checked or removed at Kendal Medical Centre?

  Both Dr Sim and Dr Ashmore have undertaken postgraduate training in dermoscopy (a more accurate technique for checking skin blemishes). Dr Sim has over 20 years of experience in minor surgery to remove moles, cysts and other skin lesions. There is also a liquid nitrogen clinic for warts and skin tags.

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  Can I bring other people with me when I see the GP?

  Yes, of course. We understand that you might feel more comfortable having someone with you. If you are bringing someone who also wishes to discuss their own health, they will need to be booked in for the consultation, in order for us to allocate the appropriate time slot and prevent delays for other patients.

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  What happens if I need help after-hours?

  When the Medical Centre is closed, our telephone is answered by an experienced nurse who will advise you on the best course of action to take. If you wish to be seen at an after hours clinic we are affiliated with the Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery on Bealey Avenue. They will electronically send us details of your visit. If you don’t want to sit in a waiting room full of sick people, we now have a virtual after-hours consultation service for our patients. Practice Plus, which is run by NZ registered general practitioners. For more information on Practice plus visit our After Hours page.

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  Who do I see when my doctor is away?

  You are welcome to see either doctor at Kendal Medical Centre. If they are both away there will be an experienced “Locum” doctor who will be able to look after your needs. Nurse, Mel will also be able to assist and advise you during this time.

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  Why is my GP often not ready to see me on time?

  We do our best to keep to appointment times. However, we place priority on giving each patient the attention they need and it is often difficult to anticipate how long this will take. Sometimes the doctors have to look after someone urgently or liaise with the hospital before they can see you. Please let reception know if you are concerned about the amount of time you have been waiting.

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  Can you let me know if my doctor is running late?

  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to predict this more than a few minutes in advance. A doctor may run late due to an emergency, for example, and then be back on time quickly due to a late cancellation. However, if there is a large delay we may ring you and ask if you would like to arrive later or reschedule.

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  Will the GP talk to other people such as family members or my insurance company about me?

  The information you share with your GP is confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your permission. We will contact you if anyone asks for information about your healthcare without your prior approval.

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  Does Kendal Medical Centre provide maternity services?

  We provide care free of charge within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy and will help you find an obstetrician or midwife. Both Dr Sim and Dr Ashmore have postgraduate qualifications in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and enjoy caring for their patients at this exciting time of time. However, they no longer perform deliveries.

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  What is Pegasus Health?

  Pegasus Health was founded in 1992 when a group of Christchurch general practitioners met to see how they could use the ‘health reforms’ of the time to get a better deal for the local community. The early Pegasus pioneers brought together the majority of Christchurch GPs to form an Independent Practitioner Association (IPA) with a strong clinical education foundation and a focus on reducing wastage on unnecessary laboratory tests and prescriptions. The savings achieved went to building a range of programmes and services for patients, such as the first free GP visits for under 5s, free mammography screening for at risk women (before the national programme began), and the PEGS smoking cessation programme (and many more). Pegasus innovations continue to lead health service design and delivery across the country and internationally. The Pegasus education programme continues to ensure that doctors, nurses, and the wider clinical community stay on top of health developments and are kept current with changes in best practice as they happen.

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  What should I do if I have a complaint?

  We strive to provide the best general practice care that we can. If you have any complaints about the treatment or service you have received from us, we would really like to know. It is our experience that most concerns can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction by talking to your GP or the practice manager (Dr Sharon Ashmore). Please do not hesitate to talk to us about any issues that may be concerning you.

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