Our Services

Test Results

Most test results are available within 72 hours (three days). Your doctor or nurse will have discussed how to provide you with results at the time of consultation. We can notify you by one of:

  • Manage My Health patient portal
  • Text
  • Telephone

If you wish to only be notified if there are abnormal results, please inform your doctor or nurse of this.

Please note: biopsies and cervical cytology tests may take two or three weeks to complete.

If you expect to learn about results but haven’t heard please call reception (04 801 5228) and ask to speak with a nurse.

Immunisations

Routine childhood immunisations are free and these are listed in the Well Child/Tamariki Ora Health Book. We strongly advocate vaccination and our practice nurses will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

We have a range of recommended but not funded vaccinations, i.e Shingles, Whooping Cough, Pneumonia and Meningitis. Please phone 04 801 5228 and speak with a nurse for more information.

The seasonal influenza vaccine is available every year. It is free for those over 65 years and all those with chronic medical conditions, including children.

You can book flu vaccinations for your workplace.

For more information about available immunisations on the New Zealand Schedule please click here.

Well Child

All our patients have the right to have a chaperone present during examinations if they wish. You may wish to bring a support person with you or have a nurse chaperone. Please ask your doctor or practice nurse.

 

Managing Diabetes

Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes are entitled to a free annual consultation to review their diabetes with the practice nurse. You will be advised when this annual review is due.

Diabetes may remain undetected for several years and cause serious harm to health. If you are concerned that you may have or are at risk of developing diabetes please make an appointment to see your doctor or practice nurse.

For more information about diabetes please click here

Minor Surgery

All of our doctors offer minor surgery skills. Excisions are carried out in a dedicated surgical room. Please talk to your doctor about your procedure, as costs will vary.

The doctor will advise you about the best treatment options for skin lesions and moles.

For benign (harmless) lesions and moles, treatment options include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), biopsy or removal by excision.

For any suspicious or undetermined lesions or moles, a skin biopsy or excision is usually recommended, so that that a tissue sample can be taken and sent to a laboratory to check for the presence of skin cancer. Local anaesthetic is provided for skin excision procedures to minimise pain or discomfort.

Sexual Health

To be eligible for free sexual health services, you must be a New Zealand resident aged 19 years old or under, and enrolled at Courtenay Medical. It’s free and easy to enrol, just ask at reception or download an enrolment form.

  • Contraception & Emergency Contraception
  • Testing and treatment for Sexually Transmissible
  • Infections (STIs)
  • Sexual Health Advice
  • Pregnancy Testing & Advice
  • Cervical Smear Test
  • HPV vaccination to protect against cervical cancer

Your choice of contraception will depend on your age, health and the status of your relationship.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are unsure which method is best for you. They will ask about your health so they can recommend the safest contraception for you.

Medicals

Courtenay Medical provides special examinations for insurance, pre-employment and other purposes such as diving, trade vehicle licenses and for vehicle licenses for those aged 70 and over.

A 45 minute appointment is usually needed for special medical examinations, this consists of a 15 minute appointment with the nurse prior to seeing the doctor for a 30 minute consultation. For motor vehicle license examinations (for our enrolled patients) this is a 30 minute appointment, this consists of a 15 minute nurse appointment prior to a 15 minute doctor consultation. It is not possible to deal with other health matters during a special purpose examination.

This service is available to registered and non-registered patients. Please discuss your needs with a receptionist or practice nurse.

Wellness Checks

We recommend that from time to time you should have a personal health check. Early detection of medical problems usually results in better health long term. Please indicate to reception that you require a 30 minute wellness check when you book in. During this time we will talk to you about your lifestyle, review your family medical history and question you on a range of symptoms. You will have a comprehensive examination and in many cases you will have a blood test. We are particularly interested in identifying and treating risk factors for heart disease, stroke and some cancers. People over 50 are encouraged to have a wellness check yearly. It is also worth having at least 2 checks in your 30s and 40’s, particularly if you have a family history of medical problems.

Women’s Health

We strongly advocate regular health checks for women. We have four female doctors available.

The women’s health services we offer are:

  • review of family medical history and medical examinations
  • skin check
  • cervical smear with a nurse
  • blood tests (where appropriate)
  • contraception
  • pre-conception discussion and health check
  • pregnancy tests, early/antenatal advice and
  • referral to midwife or specialist
  • breast examination and referral for a mammogram
  • bone density assessment and management
  • menopause advice
  • mental health discussion, ie management and referral as appropriate
  • osteoporosis assessment and management

We also offer advice for women regarding:

  • depression and other mental health issues
  • alcohol use
  • smoking
  • sexual health issues

Refer to health links page for further information on the above services.

Men’s Health

We offer screening for early diagnosis of heart disease, skin, bowel and prostate cancer. We strongly encourage men to have a two yearly men’s health check (Well-Man Check) from age 40 with one of our GPs.

These Well-Man checks include:

  • weight and body-mass index
  • pulse and blood pressure
  • skin examination for melanoma
  • heart check & cardiovascular risk assessment
  • testicular examination
  • prostate check
  • ECG and eyesight tests where applicable
  • blood tests where indicated

We also offer advice regarding:

  • depression and other mental health issues
  • alcohol use
  • smoking
  • sexual health issues

Refer to health links page for further information on the above services

Maternity Care

We are able to diagnose pregnancy, give advice and provide prenatal, pregnancy and post-natal care but we do not provide LMC (lead maternity carer – the one who delivers your baby) services.

Our nurses are highly skilled and happy to provide advice to our patients when appropriate. Information packs for pregnancy are available and we will discuss referral to midwives or obstetricians.

We are happy to provide care for new babies including all childhood vaccinations and well child checks.

Maternity care is funded for eligible enrolled patients for the first trimester for pregnancy related healthcare.

Asthma Education

Asthma is a chronic condition of the bronchioles, or small airways, inside the lungs. While there’s no cure for asthma, it can be managed successfully by:

  • Working in partnership with your practice nurse and doctor to manage asthma
  • Knowing about prescribed asthma medicine – how to take it correctly and how it works
  • Taking your preventer asthma medication every day
  • Using a self-management plan when needed
  • Recognising when your asthma is getting worse and what to do
  • Monitoring your asthma with a peak flow meter and seeking regular reviews by a nurse/doctor

Spirometry

Spirometry is a test that can help diagnose various lung conditions, most commonly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Spirometry is also used to monitor the severity of some other lung conditions, and their response to treatment. At Courtenay Medical we conduct spirometry for our eligible enrolled patients. A charge may apply.

Liquid Nitrogen / Cryotherapy

Courtenay Medical offers cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) for verrucas, skin lesions and warts. A doctor’s consultation is needed prior to cryotherapy. Once lesion diagnosed consecutive treatments will be carried out by a practice nurse.

ECG & Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease (heart attack or stroke) is the leading cause of death in NZ. A New Zealander dies from cardiovascular disease every 90 minutes, and many of these are preventable.

A heart check (or cardiovascular risk assessment) will let you know what your risk is of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years and how you can reduce that risk.

Free CVR assessments are available for Women from 55 years (45 years if you are Maori, Pacific or Indo-Asian) and Men from 45 years (35 years if you are Maori, Pacific or Indo-Asian).

During a heart check your doctor or nurse will:

  • Ask about your risk factors such as smoking, exercise and diet
  • Ask if there is any family history or heart attack or stroke
  • Measure your blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference
  • Test your cholesterol and blood glucose levels

Audiometry

Courtenay Medical offers routine hearing tests known as audiometry. It is a screening test that measures an individual’s ability to hear various sound frequencies. A charge will apply.

Drug Screening

We are NZQA certified for onsite urine drug screening. Please contact the practice nurse for further details.