?

Central Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, South Auckland, West Auckland > Private Hospitals & Specialists >

Margaret Wilsher - Respiratory Physician

Private Service, Respiratory

Today

Description

Dr Margaret Wilsher is a respiratory physician working in both public and in private practice at Auckland Medical Specialists, Epsom. 

Dr Wilsher graduated from the University of Otago. She commenced respiratory specialist training at Green Lane Hospital and then undertook a three year research and clinical  fellowship in London at the National Heart and Lung Institute and Royal Brompton Hospital.

She has continued her academic and clinical career in respiratory medicine in Auckland, specialising in interstitial lung disease, as well accumulating a busy health management and governance portfolio of activities across New Zealand. She is an author on over 100 peer reviewed publications, has a number of international research collaborations and has coauthored a number of position papers and guidelines on ILD.

Her current roles include Respiratory Physician, Health New Zealand Auckland and Honorary Professor, University of Auckland. She was formerly Chief Medical Officer, Auckland District Health Board and has been a member of the National Health Board, the Capital Investment Committee and a Ministerial Crown Monitor. She is currently a director on the PHARMAC board.

Specialty interests:

·        general respiratory disease including cough, dyspnoea, suspected cancer, airways disease

·        interstitial lung disease including connective tissue disease ILD

·        sarcoidosis

·        sleep apnoea.

·        Immigration medical examination

Subspecialty

·       pulmonary fibrosis

·       rare lung diseases

 

Consultants

Ages

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

How do I access this service?

Referral

All patients must have a referral letter, preferably emailed.

We will contact you to let you know we have received your referral.

Once we have appointments available, we will contact you again to book in.

CURRENTLY OUR WAIT LISTS ARE LOW

Referral Expectations

Your GP will refer you to us if they are concerned about your lungs or breathing and want a specialist opinion.  CURRENTLY OUR WAIT LISTS ARE LOW
Recommendations and options regarding your diagnosis and treatment plan will be discussed with you and a letter will be sent to your GP.

You need to bring to your appointment:
1. any letters or reports from your doctor or hospital
2. any X-rays, CT (computer tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) films and reports
3. all medicines you are currently taking, including herbal and natural remedies
4. your pharmaceutical entitlement card.

What to bring to an immigration appointment:
1. immigration letter asking you to see a pulmonary specialist
2. all your X-rays (if immigration is still holding your X-rays, please
obtain the X-rays from them)
3. if English is not your first language, please bring someone who can speak on your behalf
4. passport.

If you have any change in your condition before you come to your appointment, please see your GP immediately.

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Fees apply

Fees and Charges Description

Dr Wilsher is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider.

Hours

Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Public Holidays: Closed 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), Labour Day (27 Oct).
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 26 Dec. Open 27 Dec. Closed 28 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

What we offer

Unexplained respiratory symptoms: chronic cough, breathlessness or wheeze

We offer a diagnostic and managment service which will include taking your history, performing a clinical examination and testing your lung volumes using spirometry. We may refer you for further imaging such as a CT scan or detailed breathing tests. We will then recommend management of your symptom which might include pharmacologic treatment or referral to an allied health professional such as a physio or speech language therapist.

We offer a diagnostic and managment service which will include taking your history, performing a clinical examination and testing your lung volumes using spirometry. We may refer you for further imaging such as a CT scan or detailed breathing tests. We will then recommend management of your symptom which might include pharmacologic treatment or referral to an allied health professional such as a physio or speech language therapist.
Airways disease - asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis.

We ensure the diagnosis is correct and may request further testing to confirm such. That testing might comprise CT scan, detailed breathing tests, sputum and blood tests., Treatment is guideline based and may comprise inhaled or oral medication. We may refer you to an allied health team such as physiotherapy., There are many different types of airways disease including asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis. We will confirm the diagnosis using your story, clinical examination, spirometry and imaging. We might want further blood and sputum tests., The management of airways disease comprises inhaled and sometimes oral medication, together with phsyiotherapy, rehabilitation and avoidance of airway irritants such as allergens or cigarette smoke. We provide advice about healthy nutrition, smoking cessation, vaccination and exercise., For more information go to https://learnaboutlungs.asthmaandrespiratory.org.nz

  • We ensure the diagnosis is correct and may request further testing to confirm such. That testing might comprise CT scan, detailed breathing tests, sputum and blood tests.
  • Treatment is guideline based and may comprise inhaled or oral medication. We may refer you to an allied health team such as physiotherapy.
There are many different types of airways disease including asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis. We will confirm the diagnosis using your story, clinical examination, spirometry and imaging. We might want further blood and sputum tests.
The management of airways disease comprises inhaled and sometimes oral medication, together with phsyiotherapy, rehabilitation and avoidance of airway irritants such as allergens or cigarette smoke. We provide advice about healthy nutrition, smoking cessation, vaccination and exercise.

For more information go to https://learnaboutlungs.asthmaandrespiratory.org.nz
Suspected Lung Cancer

You may be referred because of a CXR or CT finding of suspected lung cancer, or you may have coughed blood. The first thing we do is establish if you actually have cancer or not. There are several different types of lung cancer and it is important to determine which one you might have. This is done using CT scan and biopsy of the abnormality identified using bronchoscopy or percutaneous CT guided biopsy. We will also assess your lung capacity with more specialised breathing tests. It may also be necessary to stage your lung cancer using a more sophisticated CT PET. Once the type of cancer is known we will discuss your case at a multidisciplinary meeting so that we can make a recommendation to you about the best care pathway. That might include surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. You will then be referred to the relevant specialist who will take over your care. Sometimes there are subtle abnormalities on CT scan that are described as nodules. Sometimes those nodules become lung cancer over time and others simply disappear. Unless they grow or develop a solid appearance we generally keep an eye on them using low dose CT scans at periodic intervals. We oversee the surveilance of pulmonary nodules in this setting. For more information about lung cancer see www.cancernz.org.nz

You may be referred because of a CXR or CT finding of suspected lung cancer, or you may have coughed blood. The first thing we do is establish if you actually have cancer or not.

There are several different types of lung cancer and it is important to determine which one you might have. This is done using CT scan and biopsy of the abnormality identified using bronchoscopy or percutaneous CT guided biopsy.  We will also assess your lung capacity with more specialised breathing tests. It may also be necessary to stage your lung cancer using a more sophisticated CT PET.

Once the type of cancer is known we will discuss your case at a multidisciplinary meeting so that we can make a recommendation to you about the best care pathway. That might include surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. You will then be referred to the relevant specialist who will take over your care. 

Sometimes there are subtle abnormalities on CT scan that are described as nodules. Sometimes those nodules become lung cancer over time and others simply disappear. Unless they grow or develop a solid appearance we generally keep an eye on them using low dose CT scans at periodic intervals. We oversee the surveilance of pulmonary nodules in this setting.

For more information about lung cancer see www.cancernz.org.nz
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

We have a special interest in all types of ILD including pulmonary fibrosis, ILD associated with connective tissue disease sich as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma, and drug induced ILD. We also see patients with rare lung diseases. Patients from across New Zealand access this service. We confirm the diagnosis of ILD using CT patterns and sometimes lung biopsy. There are over 200 types of ILD and sometimes we need to discuss your case at a regional or international meeting of experts. We provide guideline based pharmacologic management and offer opportunities to participate in clinical trials of new drugs. With connective tissue disease ILD we will work in partnership with your rheumatologist or immunologist. We may refer you to physio or rehab therapy, or other allied health professionals for support managing your disease.

We have a special interest in all types of ILD including pulmonary fibrosis, ILD associated with connective tissue disease sich as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma, and drug induced ILD. We also see patients with rare lung diseases. Patients from across New Zealand access this service.

We confirm the diagnosis of ILD using CT patterns and sometimes lung biopsy. There are over 200 types of ILD and sometimes we need to discuss your case at a regional or international meeting of experts. 

We provide guideline based pharmacologic management and offer opportunities to participate in clinical trials of new drugs.  With connective tissue disease ILD we will work in partnership with your rheumatologist or immunologist. We may refer you to physio or rehab therapy, or other allied health professionals for support managing your disease.
Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an uncommon inflammatory disease that can affect any organ in the body but most commonly the lungs. We see patients with pulmonary and non-pulmonary disease and often work in a team with other specialists. We will confirm the diagnosis using CT scan and biopsy of relevant tissue if necessary. Then we consider if treatment is necessary or whether surveillance will suffice. Many patients never require treatment but they will need ongoing followup, usually for a number of years.

Sarcoidosis is an uncommon inflammatory disease that can affect any organ in the body but most commonly the lungs. We see patients with pulmonary and non-pulmonary disease and often work in a team with other specialists.

We will confirm the diagnosis using CT scan and biopsy of relevant tissue if necessary. Then we consider if treatment is necessary or whether surveillance will suffice. Many patients never require treatment but they will need ongoing followup, usually for a number of years.
Sleep disordered breathing

We provide an assessment of the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients who snore and complain of daytime sleepiness. We will take your history, provide an examination and may refer you for a sleep study. Once the result of the study is available we will make recommendations about treatment with CPAP therapy or other options. We do not provide an insomnia service.

We provide an assessment of the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients who snore and complain of daytime sleepiness. We will take your history, provide an examination and may refer you for a sleep study. Once the result of the study is available we will make recommendations about treatment with CPAP therapy or other options. 
We do not provide an insomnia service.
Immigration medical assessments

We provide an assessment service for New Zealand Immigration and you will be referred to us if you have an abnormal CXR. It is very helpful if we can have a copy of the image, and if not then a copy of the report. Depending on your history, our examination and your CXR appearance, we might recommend further testing such as induced sputum testing to exclude tuberculosis. That test is performed at Greenlane Clinical Centre and the results will take a further 6 weeks so you need to allow time for that in your immigration processes. A copy of the results is provided to you as well as your referring doctor. Please ensure that you bring your passport and NZ Immigration client number to the appointment.

We provide an assessment service for New Zealand Immigration and you will be referred to us if you have an abnormal CXR. It is very helpful if we can have a copy of the image, and if not then a copy of the report.

Depending on your history, our examination and your CXR appearance,  we might recommend further testing such as induced sputum testing to exclude tuberculosis. That test is performed at Greenlane Clinical Centre and the results will take a further 6 weeks so you need to allow time for that in your immigration processes. 
A copy of the results is provided to you as well as your referring doctor.
Please ensure that you bring your passport and NZ Immigration client number to the appointment.

Disability Assistance

Mobility parking space, Wheelchair access

Travel Directions

Travelling from South

  • Take the Market Rd exit and turn left
  • Right turn at lights into Great South Rd
  • Travel to main intersection of Manukau Rd & Great South Rd lights
  • Straight ahead into Alpers Ave (one way street)
  • Left turn into Gillies Ave.

Travelling from North

  • Take the Gillies Ave exit
  • Turn right on to Gillies Ave

Public Transport

We recommend the Auckland Transport website.

This website will provide you with information on the public transport available in your area as well as prices, timetables and a journey planner.

Parking

There is parking available on site (including disabled).

Parking is also available on Gillies Ave between 9am-4pm.

Contact Details

CURRENTLY OUR WAIT LISTS ARE LOW

183 Gillies Avenue
Epsom
Auckland
Auckland 1023

Information about this location

View on Google Maps

Get directions

Street Address

183 Gillies Avenue
Epsom
Auckland
Auckland 1023

Postal Address

PO Box 99354
Newmarket
Auckland 1149

This page was last updated at 3:06PM on July 8, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Margaret Wilsher - Respiratory Physician.