?

Tairāwhiti > GPs / Accident & Urgent Medical Care > Pinnacle Midlands Health Network >

The Doctors Te Whare Hapara

General Practice (GP) Service

Today

Description

At The Doctors Te Whare Hāpara we have a friendly and dedicated team of medical professionals with a wide range of skills, experience and professional interests. We aim to provide consistent, high quality general practice services to all our valued patients.

Each of our doctors has special areas of interest and expertise, and can offer extra advice and better service for you (as per their area of interest). 

We partner with Practice Plus to provide virtual GP services, as an extension after-hours of our regular medical centre team.

Staff

Our team is made up of GPs (see details below under “General Practitioners”), a Nurse Practitioner and:

Practice Manager: Natalie Atkinson

Nursing Staff: Lead Nurse - Alice RN, McKenzie RN, Karmanpreet RN and Debbie RN
Kiawhina: Nichole
Receptionist: Reception team: Robyn, Bayley, Alyssa, Tessa and Alissa
Accounts/Admin: Kayley 
Intern: 

Nurse Practitioner: Jade Robertson (Locum)

Doctors

Ages

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

How do I access this service?

Contact us

Please call us on: 06 868 8887

Make an appointment

At the moment please either call into the practice (in-person) or ring the practice 06 868 8887.

Enrolled patients

Please either fill in an enrolment form at the practice (hard-copy) please present current NZ Drivers Licence or NZ Passport however if you have a non-NZ Passport we also require Immigration New Zealand proof of eligibility for NZ health care services.

The other option is to fill in an enrolment form online at our website - The Doctors Te Whare Hapara, again the above further documentation is required.

Please allow up to 2 weeks once your Enrollment Application has been processed for your medical records to be transferred from your previous NZ Medical Practice. The practice will contact you once your application has been fully processed and we have received your prior medical records, we will contact you to notify you of this.

Please note: Only when you receive contact from our Practice that you have been fully enrolled, are you eligible to order prescriptions and make an appointment with us. If you have never seen the the doctor you have been assigned to, at our practice, then a double appointment (30 minutes) is required (on your first initial visit only), then single appointment time (15 mins) thereafter.

Enrolling new patients

Yes

This practice is enrolling new patients.

We have a backlog of enrollments at the moment, with at least a 3 month waitlist.

Fees

Enrolled Patient Fees

CSC: Community Services Card

Age Range Without CSC With CSC
Under 6 years Free Free
6 to 13 years Free Free
14 to 17 years $13.00 $13.00
18 to 24 years $29.50 $19.50
25 to 44 years $29.50 $19.50
45 to 64 years $29.50 $19.50
65+ years $29.50 $19.50
$29.50 patient co-payment to see General or Nurse Practitioner (NON Community Services Card Holder) Effective 9 August 2024

Hours

Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Public Holidays - CLOSED.
After hours:
We partner with Practice Plus to provide same day virtual GP appointments for enrolled patients, as an extension of our regular medical centre team.

Practice Plus is available weekdays 5pm until 10pm and weekends/public holidays 8am-8pm.

Click here to find out more and to register/book an appointment.

 

Phone GP practice duirng these times and follow instructions. You will be transferred to an after hours service who will direct you (if appropriate) to use the virtual GP Practice Plus service.

Public Holidays: Closed Labour Day (28 Oct), Auckland Anniversary (27 Jan), Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun).
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 24 Dec. Open 24 Dec (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM). Closed 25 Dec — 29 Dec. Open 30 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 2 Jan. Open 3 Jan. Closed 4 Jan — 5 Jan. Open 6 Jan — 10 Jan.

Languages Spoken

English, Interpreting Service, German, Afrikaans, French, Dutch

Services Provided

Adult and Child Medical Care

Your GP's surgery is far more than a place to go when you are feeling unwell and needing a quick cure. The doctor who sees you has gone through an extensive medical training to equip her or him to help children and adults of all ages with a range of physical and emotional difficulties. GPs are at the centre of the healthcare hub and will be aware of services and expertise that are available locally and further-a-field. GPs are also aware of the link that stress and unhappy life events have on physical health so know when to suggest a talking therapy rather than medication.

Your GP's surgery is far more than a place to go when you are feeling unwell and needing a quick cure. The doctor who sees you has gone through an extensive medical training to equip her or him to help children and adults of all ages with a range of physical and emotional difficulties. GPs are at the centre of the healthcare hub and will be aware of services and expertise that are available locally and further-a-field. GPs are also aware of the link that stress and unhappy life events have on physical health so know when to suggest a talking therapy rather than medication.

Immunisation

Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to provide protection for you and your tamariki’s health. For more information view the NZ immunisation schedule.

  • Pregnancy vaccinations
  • Childhood immunisation programme
  • 45 year old vaccinations
  • 65 year old vaccinations
  • Adult flu vaccine
  • Child flu vaccine
  • Diphtheria / Tetanus / Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
  • Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR) vaccine
  • Meningococcal vaccine
  • Shingles vaccine
  • Travel vaccinations

Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to provide protection for you and your tamariki’s health. For more information view the NZ immunisation schedule.

Cervical Screening

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 69 who have ever had intimate skin-to-skin contact or been sexually active should have regular cervical screening. This includes women who have been immunised against HPV. Together, regular screening and HPV immunisation provide the best protection against cervical cancer. There are now more options for how you have cervical screening done: a simple vaginal swab test for HPV, either done yourself or with help from a healthcare professional a cervical sample taken by a healthcare professional (used to be known as a smear test). Talk with your healthcare provider to decide which option is best for you. If HPV is found, you may need to have a follow-up test or be referred directly for colposcopy. If you’ve not yet had HPV testing, you should be screened 3 years after your last test (or 1 year if immune deficient). Once you have had an HPV test, and providing HPV is not found, your next screening will be in 5 years (or 3 years if immune deficient). For more information: Cervical screening | Time to Screen - National Screening Unit

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 69 who have ever had intimate skin-to-skin contact or been sexually active should have regular cervical screening. This includes women who have been immunised against HPV. Together, regular screening and HPV immunisation provide the best protection against cervical cancer.

There are now more options for how you have cervical screening done:

  • a simple vaginal swab test for HPV, either done yourself or with help from a healthcare professional
  • a cervical sample taken by a healthcare professional (used to be known as a smear test).

Talk with your healthcare provider to decide which option is best for you.

If HPV is found, you may need to have a follow-up test or be referred directly for colposcopy.

If you’ve not yet had HPV testing, you should be screened 3 years after your last test (or 1 year if immune deficient). Once you have had an HPV test, and providing HPV is not found, your next screening will be in 5 years (or 3 years if immune deficient).

For more information: Cervical screening | Time to Screen - National Screening Unit

Well Child/Tamariki Ora Health Checks – Birth to Three Years

All New Zealand children are entitled to 11 free health checks from birth to three years. The checks aim to ensure that children are growing and developing as well as possible. Included in the checks are clinical assessment, health education and family/whanau support. Baby checks are at birth and then at 24 hours, five days and around 2-4 weeks. Babies are weighed and measured to ensure that they are developing correctly. These sessions provide a great opportunity for parents to ask questions from an expert and have any problem addressed; difficulties with breastfeeding or sleep for example. They can also be used to discuss immunisations and vaccinations. These checks will be carried out by your lead maternity carer (LMC). Between the ages of 4-6 weeks and three years, there are seven core health checks available, typically these are around 4-6 weeks, 8-10 weeks, 3-4 months, 5-7 months, 9-12 months, 15-18 months and 2-3 years. These checks may be carried out by a Well Child Provider of your choice e.g. Plunket, Maori health provider, community nurse, a general practice team (doctor and practice nurse). Your LMC will be able to give you a list of Well Child Providers in your area. More information about Well Child services is available on the Ministry of Health website.

All New Zealand children are entitled to 11 free health checks from birth to three years. The checks aim to ensure that children are growing and developing as well as possible. Included in the checks are clinical assessment, health education and family/whānau support.

Baby checks are at birth and then at 24 hours, five days and around 2-4 weeks. Babies are weighed and measured to ensure that they are developing correctly. These sessions provide a great opportunity for parents to ask questions from an expert and have any problem addressed; difficulties with breastfeeding or sleep for example. They can also be used to discuss immunisations and vaccinations. These checks will be carried out by your lead maternity carer (LMC).

Between the ages of 4-6 weeks and three years, there are seven core health checks available, typically these are around 4-6 weeks, 8-10 weeks, 3-4 months, 5-7 months, 9-12 months, 15-18 months and 2-3 years. These checks may be carried out by a Well Child Provider of your choice e.g. Plunket, Māori health provider, community nurse, a general practice team (doctor and practice nurse). Your LMC will be able to give you a list of Well Child Providers in your area.

More information about Well Child services is available on the Ministry of Health website.
 

Lab Results

Sometimes your doctor needs to take a sample of blood or urine either to discover what is wrong with you or to measure something in your blood so that the right medication is given to you. These tests could be anything from blood sugar to a full blood count or a sample of tissue to test for cancer. While urine can generally be tested in the surgery, blood and other specimens are usually sent away for testing at a laboratory. Most results come back within 48 hours unless a very rare test is needed which has to go to a specialist lab further away when it might take a little longer.

Sometimes your doctor needs to take a sample of blood or urine either to discover what is wrong with you or to measure something in your blood so that the right medication is given to you. These tests could be anything from blood sugar to a full blood count or a sample of tissue to test for cancer.

While urine can generally be tested in the surgery, blood and other specimens are usually sent away for testing at a laboratory. Most results come back within 48 hours unless a very rare test is needed which has to go to a specialist lab further away when it might take a little longer.

Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is a fast, effective treatment provided in many practices to treat viral warts, sun damaged skin, skin tags and many benign cosmetic lesions. It comes in a container with a nozzle and is usually applied by swab or spray. Often one treatment is all that is needed but sometimes it may need repeating after two weeks. Because it cannot be stored for too long, you will often find that your GP will treat a number of patients one after the other. For more information click here.

Liquid nitrogen is a fast, effective treatment provided in many practices to treat viral warts, sun damaged skin, skin tags and many benign cosmetic lesions. It comes in a container with a nozzle and is usually applied by swab or spray. Often one treatment is all that is needed but sometimes it may need repeating after two weeks.
Because it cannot be stored for too long, you will often find that your GP will treat a number of patients one after the other. 

For more information click here.

Minor Accident and Injury Care

Primary care practices offer a range of services and are able to deal with most minor accident care. If they are not able to deal with an injury they will refer on to the appropriate service.

Primary care practices offer a range of services and are able to deal with most minor accident care. If they are not able to deal with an injury they will refer on to the appropriate service.

Minor Surgery

Minor surgery is commonly provided in primary care practices, providing fast, competent removal and biopsies of skin lesions. Other services include cosmetic work such as removal of benign moles and skin tags. Ingrown toenail surgery is also commonly provided. These conditions do not need to be referred to a hospital, perhaps saving you a long wait or a cancelled appointment when a more serious case takes priority.

Minor surgery is commonly provided in primary care practices, providing fast, competent removal and biopsies of skin lesions. Other services include cosmetic work such as removal of benign moles and skin tags. Ingrown toenail surgery is also commonly provided. 
These conditions do not need to be referred to a hospital, perhaps saving you a long wait or a cancelled appointment when a more serious case takes priority.

ECG

An ECG is a recording of your heart's electrical activity. Electrode patches are attached to your skin to measure the electrical impulses given off by your heart. The result is a trace that can be read by a doctor. It can give information of previous heart attacks or problems with the heart rhythm.

An ECG is a recording of your heart's electrical activity. Electrode patches are attached to your skin to measure the electrical impulses given off by your heart. The result is a trace that can be read by a doctor. It can give information of previous heart attacks or problems with the heart rhythm.

Patient Portal

A patient portal is a secure online tool provided by GP practices that can allow convenient access to your health information as well as interaction with the practice e.g. booking appointments and requesting repeat prescriptions.

A patient portal is a secure online tool provided by GP practices that can allow convenient access to your health information as well as interaction with the practice e.g. booking appointments and requesting repeat prescriptions.

Repeat Prescriptions

Each GP surgery or primary care practice will have its own procedure for repeat prescribing but the following rules are common to most, if not all. Patients who are well-known to the practice who have a stable condition like asthma, hypertension or diabetes could be allowed to get a repeat prescription for up to six months. Repeat prescriptions are never given to patients who are not known to the practice and there is probably a blanket ban on repeats for narcotics and other drugs that could be misused as doctors are expected to monitor these drugs carefully.

Each GP surgery or primary care practice will have its own procedure for repeat prescribing but the following rules are common to most, if not all. Patients who are well-known to the practice who have a stable condition like asthma, hypertension or diabetes could be allowed to get a repeat prescription for up to six months. Repeat prescriptions are never given to patients who are not known to the practice and there is probably a blanket ban on repeats for narcotics and other drugs that could be misused as doctors are expected to monitor these drugs carefully.

Telehealth Consultation

A virtual consultation is a way of having an appointment with your healthcare provider, but not in person. This is usually done via a video app or a phone call. For more detailed information about telehealth consultations, please see the guide from Healthify.

  • Telehealth consultations for enrolled patients only
  • Video consultations
  • Phone consultations

A virtual consultation is a way of having an appointment with your healthcare provider, but not in person. This is usually done via a video app or a phone call. For more detailed information about telehealth consultations, please see the guide from Healthify.

Travel Health Advice

Another service offered to you at your GP surgery (primary care practice) is advice and immunisation before you go to another country. While you are likely to have the immunisations needed to live in New Zealand, there may be other injections you need to protect yourself before going for example to Africa or South America. In some places you will need protection from rabies or malaria. Yellow fever vaccinations are only available at approved centres; please click here to view the centres in New Zealand. Your doctor will be able to tell you what diseases you will need to be protected from in any named country and advise you on other medical matters.

Another service offered to you at your GP surgery (primary care practice) is advice and immunisation before you go to another country. While you are likely to have the immunisations needed to live in New Zealand, there may be other injections you need to protect yourself before going for example to Africa or South America. In some places you will need protection from rabies or malaria. Yellow fever vaccinations are only available at approved centres; please click here to view the centres in New Zealand. Your doctor will be able to tell you what diseases you will need to be protected from in any named country and advise you on other medical matters. 

Disability Assistance

Wheelchair access, Mobility parking space, Wheelchair accessible toilet

Travel Directions

Desmond Road is located direct access from Gladstone Road (Main Street) opposite Gisborne Girls High School. Sean Shivnan Pharmacy on the Corner next door to Medical Practice.

Public Transport

Gisborne public bus stop on Gladstone Road (70m) from Practice.

Parking

Plenty of off-street parking provided, with 2 Disability-Wheelchair/mobility carparks allocated directly beside Practice entrance (as marked).

Contact Details

3 Desmond Road
Te Hapara
Gisborne 4010

Information about this location

View on Google Maps

Get directions

Street Address

3 Desmond Road
Te Hapara
Gisborne 4010

This page was last updated at 2:55PM on October 11, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by The Doctors Te Whare Hapara.