Enrolling with Ōtaki Medical Centre
Our enrolments are currently closed. We are not accepting new patient enrolments at this time, as we need to ensure we can continue to provide safe, timely, and appropriate care for our enrolled patients.
Patient Enrolment
Enrolling with Ōtaki Medical Centre allows us to provide you with ongoing, coordinated healthcare. As an enrolled patient, you will have access to subsidised consultation fees and a range of funded primary healthcare services.
Our practice is funded through Think Hauora PHO, which administers primary healthcare funding on behalf of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.
Enrolment with the practice is free. Consultation and treatment fees apply in accordance with our current Schedule of Fees.
Who Can Enrol?
To enrol with Ōtaki Medical Centre you must:
- Be eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand.
- Complete and sign an Enrolment Form.
- Provide proof of identity and eligibility (such as a passport or birth certificate).
- Provide proof of your current residential address if requested.
Patients can only be enrolled with one general practice and one Primary Health Organisation (PHO) at any one time.
When you enrol with our practice, we will request your medical records from your previous general practice to ensure continuity of care.
Enrolment Availability
At times, our practice may temporarily close enrolments if we are unable to safely accept additional patients. Information about whether enrolments are currently open is available from Reception or on our website.
If enrolments are closed, we can provide information about alternative healthcare providers or referral options through Central PHO.
Benefits of Enrolment
As an enrolled patient you may receive:
- Lower consultation fees.
- Access to funded primary healthcare services.
- Access to nationally funded screening and immunisation programmes.
- Continuity of care with your healthcare team.
- Electronic access to services such as repeat prescriptions, recalls and health reminders (where available).
New Patient Information
Patients aged 16 years and over may be asked to complete a Health Questionnaire before their first appointment.
Patients with ongoing health conditions or complex medical histories may be offered a nurse assessment before seeing a GP to ensure their health information is current.
If you require ongoing medication, you may need an appointment with one of our doctors before repeat prescriptions can be authorised.
Appointments
Appointments are required for consultations with both doctors and nurses.
Standard appointments are 15 minutes. If you have several concerns or think you may need extra time, please request a longer appointment when booking your appointment. Additional fees may apply for extended consultations.
If your condition is urgent, please advise our reception team when booking so your needs can be appropriately assessed.
For medical emergencies such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms or serious injuries, call 111 immediately.
Appointment Cancellations
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible, preferably with at least two hours’ notice.
Missed appointments or appointments cancelled without adequate notice may incur a $20 non-attendance fee.
Repeat Prescriptions
Repeat prescription requests require two full working days (48 hours) to process.
If your medication requires review or monitoring, you may be asked to make an appointment before a prescription can be issued. Please request repeat prescriptions well before your medication runs out.
Laboratory Results
Patients will be contacted if their test results require follow-up or further treatment.
If you have not heard from us within two weeks and you remain concerned about your results, please contact the practice.
Please note that some results may take longer depending on the type of investigation performed.
Text Messages and Patient Communications
With your consent, we may send text messages and email regarding:
- Appointment reminders
- Recall and screening reminders
- Immunisations
- Other important health information
Please ensure your mobile phone number and email address are kept up to date and advise Reception if you wish to receive text communications.
Keeping Your Details Up to Date
It is important that we have your current:
- Residential address
- Postal address (if different)
- Telephone numbers
- Email address
- Emergency contact or next of kin
Please notify Reception promptly whenever your details change.
Chaperones and Support People
Patients are welcome to have a family member, support person or chaperone present during their consultation.
If you would prefer a chaperone provided by the practice, please let Reception know when booking your appointment.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Ōtaki Medical Centre is committed to protecting your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020, including any current amendments.
Our Privacy Statement is available from Reception.
Feedback and Complaints
We welcome feedback and are committed to continually improving our services.
If you have a compliment, concern or complaint, we encourage you to speak with a member of our team as soon as possible.
Complaints may be made:
- In person
- By telephone
- In writing
- By email
- Using our Patient Feedback Form available at Reception or on our website
All concerns are managed confidentially and in accordance with our Complaints Policy.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may contact the Nationwide Health & Disability Advocacy Service or the Health and Disability Commissioner.
Your Rights
As a patient, you are protected by the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. This includes your rights to:
- Be treated with respect.
- Receive services of an appropriate standard.
- Effective communication.
- Receive full information.
- Make informed choices and give informed consent.
- Have your privacy respected.
- Be supported during your care.
- Have your complaints taken seriously and addressed fairly.