Life at Pihanga Health

Life at Pihanga during COVID 19 Level 2

We are open and offering all our usual services – but the new rules at Level 2 means we need to do some things a little differently.

We ask that you do not come to the surgery if you have cold, flu or any symptoms associated with COVID or if you have been asked to take a COVID test by the Ministry of Health.  Please ring us first so that we are prepared.  If you do have potential COVID symptoms please be honest with us.  We will still treat you, we will just do it in a way which is safer for you, other patients and our team.  Thank you for your cooperation

We are encouraging phone consultations during Level 2 but you can book a face to face appointment with your doctor if you believe that you need to be seen rather than assessed over the phone.  The cost of a phone consultation is the same as a face to face appointment.

We need to limit the number of people in the waiting room so that we can maintain appropriate social distancing.  You are welcome to bring a support person with you but please limit the size of your group as much as possible.  If the waiting room is full we may ask you to wait outside or in your car until space becomes available.

You are required under Level 2 regulations to sign in on arrival.  We encourage you to use the NZ COVID Tracer App – however we will have a paper sign in process available too.

You are required under Level 2 regulations to wear a mask while in the practice.  Our doctors and nurses will also be wearing masks during your consultation.  This is because it is hard for us to maintain social distancing in our consult rooms.

We continue to send all prescriptions directly to a pharmacy of your choice at no extra charge.  The pharmacy continues to be busy so please allow two working days before collecting your medications unless told to collect them that day by your doctor.  Feel free to call the pharmacy to check if your prescription is ready before you head in to collect it.

If you need to pay a bill we prefer that you do this by internet banking (ANZ – Pihanga Health – 06-0317-0862899-00).  However if you need to pay in person you can  come in to pay by eftpos or cash.

We continue to undertake intense cleaning protocols in the waiting room, consultation and treatment rooms.  You are encouraged to use the hand sanitizer on offer at the door.

As always please follow the official advice on the COVID 19 website

Wanted – Registered Practice Nurse

We are on the hunt for that special Registered Nurse to join our motivated and supportive team.  For full details of the role, how to apply and closing dates for applications please click here

COVID Vaccinations

We have been working with other community groups and iwi to deliver a number of COVID vaccination opportunities around Turangi.

From the week beginning 13th September (and as long as we are in Levels 2 or 1) we will be offering vaccinations from the practice.  These will be available through Book My Vaccine .  All COVID vaccinations are free of charge and available to anyone aged 12 years or above.

Price Increases – from Monday 23rd August

We work hard to keep our prices as low as possible because we know that sometimes you just can’t choose when you are sick.  However sometimes price increases are necessary.  Our prices will change from Monday 23rd August.

Our new charges for registered and casual patients can be found here

We offer a number of ways in which you can pay for our services including cash, EFTPoS, internet banking and automatic payment.  Why not ask us about setting up an Automatic Payment?  It is an easy way to spread the cost of visiting us over the year.  AP’s can start from as little as $2 per week.

Flu Vaccinations 2021

It’s not too late to get your flu vaccination.  Please call us on 0800 7442642 or 07 3847576 to book an appointment.  Your vaccination is free if you have an eligible medical condition.  Otherwise they are $25.  Get in quick before the winter gets here!

If you have had a COVID vaccination you must be at least two weeks after your second vaccination before you can have your flu vaccination.

Evening clinics

Did you know that we are now open until 6pm on Thursdays for both routine Doctor and Nurse appointments?

Did you also know the we run a cervical smear clinic on Wednesday evenings until 6pm?

Introducing 0800 PIHANGA

We are excited to introduce our new 0800 (free call) phone number – 0800 PIHANGA (0800 7442642).  This number is now active and can be used to contact us free of charge from both cell phones and landlines.  Don’t worry, our existing number (07 384 7576) still works too!  Just one more way for you to get in touch!