FAQs
What are your opening hours?
Our opening hours are Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm. We are an appointment based clinic and DO NOT take walk ins.
How do I get my test results?
Usually if there is a concern, you will be contacted. All your results are available for viewing on Manage My Health. Expect blood and urine results to take a couple of days and up to 7-10 days for smear and biopsy results. If your test results require further treatment, we will contact you by phone, text message or email within 2-7 days, based on priority/urgency. If the test results are normal, we DO NOT routinely contact patients, however, patients are always welcome to book an appointment with the doctor to discuss these results. Additionally, our registered patients can join our online portal, Manage My Health, where they can access all results once released by the Doctor. Patients may also book appointments via Manage My Health.
How will I know when to come for my regular checks?
Once you have enrolled with us, you will be entered into our recall system and our nurses will ensure you are reminded of your screening requirements for cervical screening, mammograms, immunisations, and other health screening.
Why do I need to see the doctor for a repeat prescription?
We are happy to provide repeat prescriptions to enrolled patients for certain stable conditions, however you may need to come in to see the doctor before a script is given, so your progress can be reviewed. It is our doctor’s responsibility to ensure that the medications are appropriate for your condition and that you understand any risks associated with your medication.
Repeat Prescriptions
Prescriptions can be requested via your Manage My Health portal. There is a 24-hour turnaround once your request has been received. The exception to this is Fridays, when your request will be actioned on Mondays and available for collection on Tuesdays. If you have not registered or activated your Manage My Health account please ask our reception for assistance.
What is Manage My Health?
Manage My Health has made it simple and easy for you to take care of your and your family’s health, so you can live well and enjoy more of life with your friends and family.
Used by most health centres, you can access the online patient portal anytime, anywhere to connect with your clinic to book appointments, request repeat prescriptions and access your health records. Even if you don’t see your doctor often, Manage My Health can help you stay on top of your health and wellbeing. You can use the helpful online tools to improve your health and track your progress online. It’s quick and easy to register and you will be up and running in minutes.
What if I have moved house or my details have changed?
Please let us know as soon as possible if your details have changed by emailing us at reception@mtalbertmedical.co.nz or calling (09) 846 7493. You may also update your details on Manage My Health.
How do I get the most out of my appointment?
Our standard appointment time is 15 minutes. This is a short time for you to explain your issues of concern and for our doctor to examine you and decide on a treatment plan. If you feel 15 minutes is not enough time to discuss all your concerns, it may be best to book a double appointment with our team.
What if I need to cancel or change my appointment time?
Please phone us on (09) 9734106 as soon as you know you will not make your appointment time/day so that we can reschedule it for you and offer your original appointment to another patient.
What is your cancellation Policy?
Please phone us on (09) 9734106 within 4 hours prior to your appointment time. Failure to do so may result in a no-show invoice of $20.00.
How do I make an appointment?
Please call us on 09 846 7493 during Monday to Friday 08.30am to 17.30pm or email reception@mtalbertmedical.co.nz.
Do you offer walk in appointments?
We are open Monday to Friday 09.00am to 17.30pm and DO NOT take walk ins. We are an appointment based clinic only and you must make an appointment to be seen by our Doctor.
Why is there a surcharge for ACC covered medical care
The Accident Compensation scheme provides comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealand residents and visitors to New Zealand. This cover includes a contribution to the cost of primary care, but it does not meet all the costs.
Where can I park?
Parking is available for 4. Disability parking is also available. We have a paid parking area next to our premises.
Do you offer after hours appointments?
We partner with Practice Plus to provide virtual after-hours GP services, as an extension of our regular medical centre team.
Please note the Medical Centre is open from 8:30am for appointment bookings over the phone on weekdays.
We partner with Practice Plus to provide same day virtual after-hours GP appointments for enrolled patients, as an extension of our regular medical centre team. Practice Plus is available weekdays 5pm-10pm and weekends/public holidays 8am-8pm.
We will be closed from 21 December 2024 and will be reopening on 06 January 2025. During that time, if you require urgent care, please use Practice Plus for online consultations or see Urgent or Emergency Care nearest to you.
Click here to find out more and to register/book an appointment.
Alternatively: Phone GP practice and follow instructions. You will be transferred to an after hours service who will direct you.
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (07 Apr), Easter Sunday (09 Apr), Easter Monday (10 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (05 Jun), Matariki (14 Jul), Labour Day (23 Oct), Auckland Anniversary (29 Jan), Waitangi Day (06 Feb).
Preferred urgent care clinic out of hours: White Cross Accident & Urgent Medical - Ascot 24/7.
What languages are spoken at your clinic?
English, Gujarati, Hindi, Bahasa Melayu, Indonesian and Malayalam.
Are you enrolling new patients?
Yes, we are currently enrolling new patients. Please contact us directly to enrol.
Which methods of payment do you accept?
We payment via cash, credit or eftpos or Afterpay. We are also a Southern Cross approved provider and NIB affiliated. Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding your insurance eligibility
Do you have a question that is not listed here?
Please get in touch with us directly so that we may assist you with your questions.
Health Information Privacy Statement
I understand the following:
Access to my health information
I have the right to access (and have corrected) my health information under Rules 6 and 7 of the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.
Visiting another GP
If I visit another GP who is not my regular doctor I will be asked for permission to share information from the visit with my regular doctor or practice.
If I have a High User Health Card or Community Services Card and I visit another GP who is not my regular doctor, he/she can make a claim for a subsidy, and the practice I am enrolled in will be informed of the date of that visit. The name of the practice I visited and the reason(s) for the visit will not be disclosed unless I give my consent.
Patient Enrolment Information
The information I have provided on the Practice Enrolment Form will be:
o held by the practice
o used by the Ministry of Health to give me a National Health Index (NHI) number, or update any changes
o sent to the PHO and Ministry of Health to obtain subsidised funding on my behalf
o used to determine eligibility to receive publicly-funded services. Information may be compared with other government agencies but only when permitted under the Privacy Act.
Health Information
Members of my health team may:
o add to my health record during any services provided to me and use that information to provide appropriate care
o share relevant health information to other health professionals who are directly involved in my care
Audit
In the case of financial audits, my health information may be reviewed by an auditor for checking a financial claim made by the practice, butonly according to the terms and conditions of section 22G of the Health Act (or any subsequent applicable Act). I may be contacted by the auditor to check that services have been received. If the audit involves checking on health matters, an appropriately qualified health care practitioner will view the health records.
Health Programmes
Health data relevant to a programme in which I am enrolled (e.g. Breast Screening, Immunisation, Diabetes) may be sent to the PHO or the external health agency managing this programme.
Other Uses of Health Information
Health information which will not include my name but may include my National Health Index Identifier (NHI) may be used by health agencies such as the District Health Board, Ministry of Health or PHO for the following purposes, as long as it is not used or published in a way that can identify me:
o health service planning and reporting
o monitoring service quality
o payment
Research
My health information may be used for health research, but only if this has been approved by an Ethics Committee and will not be used or published in a way that can identify me.
Except as listed above, I understand that details about my health status or the services I have received will remain confidential within the medical practice unless I give specific consent for this information to be communicated.
Enrolling with General Practice
General practice provides comprehensive primary, community-based, and continuing patient-centred health care to patients enrolled with them and others who consult. General practice services include the diagnosis, management and treatment of health conditions, continuity of health care throughout the lifespan, health promotion, prevention, screening, and referral to hospital and specialists.
Most general practice providers are affiliated to a PHO. The fund-holding role of PHOs allows an extended range of services to be provided across the collective of providers within a PHO.
Enrolling with a Primary Health Organisation (PHO)
What is a PHO?
Primary Health Organisations are the local structures for delivering and co-ordinating primary health care services. PHOs bring together doctors, nurses and other health professionals (such as Maori health workers, health promoters, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, mental health workers and midwives) in the community to serve the needs of their enrolled populations.
PHOs receive a set amount of funding from the government to ensure the provision of a range of health services, including visits to the doctor. Funding is based on the people enrolled with the PHO and their characteristics (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity). Funding also pays for services that help people stay healthy and services that reach out to groups in the community who are missing out on health services or who have poor health.
Benefits of Enrolling
Enrolling is free and voluntary. If you choose not to enrol you can still receive health services from a chosen GP / general practice / provider of First Level primary health care services. Advantages of enrolling are that your visits to the doctor will be cheaper and you will have direct access to a range of services linked to the PHO.
How do I enrol?
To enrol, you need to complete an Enrolment Form at the general practice of your choice. Parents can enrol children under 16 years of age, but children over 16 years need to sign their own form.
Q & A
What happens if I go to another General Practice?
You can go to another general practice or change to a new general practice at any time. If you are enrolled in a PHO through one general practice and visit another practice as a casual patient you will pay a higher fee for that visit. So if you have more than one general practice you should consider enrolling with the practice you visit most often.
What happens if the general practice changes to a new PHO?
If the general practice changes to a new PHO the practice will make this information available to you.
What happens if I am enrolled in a general practice but don’t see them very often?
If you have not received services from your general practice in a 3 year period it is likely that the practice will contact you and ask if you wish to remain with the practice. If you are not able to be contacted or do not respond your name will be taken off the Practice and PHO Enrolment Registers. You can re-enrol with the same general practice or another general practice and the affiliated PHO at a later time.
How do I know if I’m eligible for publicly funded health and disability services?
Talk to the practice staff, call 0800 855 151, or visit http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh nsf/indexmh/eligibility-eligibilitydirectionplain and work through the Guide to Eligibility Criteria.