Martinborough Health Centre

WHAT’S HAPPENING 

With all the media releases about struggling General Practices and shortage of GP’s, we are aware of how very important it is that we keep not only our patients, but our community informed of what is happening at the Martinborough Health Centre.  

Firstly, I know that patients are having to wait weeks for routine appointments. This is unfortunate but a necessity so we can provide urgent care to those who are extremely unwell. Thank you to all our patients that have been so understanding. We have been diligently trying to entice GP’s and a Nurse Practitioner to our Health Centre and community, with no luck.  This is a nationwide issue. Our plan in the meantime is to get locums to help us get through winter and until we can get the staff we need. 

Unfortunately, we are putting up our prices from June 2023.  We had this approved by Ministry of Health a few months ago but held off implementing the increase, unfortunately with staff wages, supplies etc all going up we can’t put it off any longer.  This will not affect patients with Community Services Cards.

Following are the staff changes coming up. 

1. Dr Lynette Cherry is stepping back from General Practice from the 1 May 2023. The demands of General Practice have become overwhelming and after 25 years, she is needing a break.  She also wishes to extend her work in skin cancer, which she is passionate about. Lynette will still be around, helping us out one morning a week in the Cabin (Tuesday) and also on a Wednesday when she does her skin surgery and monthly skin check clinics at the practice. 

1. Dr Alison Payne, who has been an incredible help to us, stepping in when we are short staffed with Doctors away. Also, running a late night clinic for our commuters.  Alison and her husband (Richard) came back to New Zealand to retire, so after 35 years as a GP, Alison is stepping back from General Practice at the end of August 2023. Alison will continue to work for the Ministry of Health and also provide menopause clinics in the near future. 

1. As Practice Manager, I had put in place a succession plan to semi-retire three years ago but then Covid hit, I couldn’t abandon ship. It is now time for me to retire, especially since Andrew (Hubby) is semi-retired. So, from end of June 2023, I will officially retire from the day to day running of the practice, but I am staying on in the background to help with the Strategic Planning, HR/Recruitment and also General College of GP Cornerstone Accreditation which is due in September.  It has been a great privilege to look after the practice and patients for the last 15 years.  The community are lucky to have such a dedicated team and I have been proud to be part of that team. 

What can you do to help.  

1.             Be more proactive:

1. 1. When notified that you are due for a Script Review, (this is usually three months before). Book the appointment then, a couple of months in advance. Request a text reminder. 

1. 1. Same applies for Drivers Medicals.

1. 1. Don’t leave ordering your repeat script till the last minute. It takes 72 hours (three working days) for a script to be processed.  It still has to go to the pharmacy to be dispensed and I know they are struggling with the workload.  (It is also a good time to remind you all that you should have at least two weeks medication, especially in winter when we get flooded in and it can be hard for the couriers to get medical supplies to the pharmacy).

1. 1. Our lack of appointment slots is one reason that receptionist ask you to give a reason for your visit as it not only allows us to prioritise appointments, but it also ensures that the correct time and correct person is allocated. So please help us out. 

As I said earlier, we will be using locums to help us get through the winter, we appreciate that this is not the best solution but at present it is the only one and we thank you in advance for your understanding and support.  

As a community we have been in a worse situation than this when we didn’t have a GP and the medical centre building was condemned.  We showed then what a community can achieve when it bands together. 

Take care and keep well.

Pam Shackleton

Practice Manager

On behalf of the Martinborough Health Centre Team.