Preparing for Your Appointment
A little preparation can help you and your clinician make the best use of your appointment.
Before you come
Please consider:
What is the main concern you want help with?
When did it begin?
What makes it better or worse?
What medicines or treatments have you tried?
What questions do you want answered?
Have your symptoms changed recently?
Write down your most important questions if that will help you remember them.
Bring with you
Where relevant, bring:
An up-to-date list of medicines and supplements
Hospital or specialist letters
Forms that need to be completed
Relevant readings, such as home blood-pressure or glucose results
Your Community Services Card
Reading glasses, hearing aids or communication equipment
Details of your preferred pharmacy
More than one concern
A standard consultation has limited time (15 minutes). Tell reception when booking if you have several unrelated concerns, need a procedure, require a medical examination or think you may need a longer appointment.
The clinician may need to prioritise the most important issue and arrange another appointment for other concerns.
Bring a support person
You are welcome to bring a whānau member, friend, caregiver or advocate. Please let the team know if you need:
An interpreter
Communication assistance
Mobility assistance
Extra support because of anxiety, disability or another need
Medical students
Pihanga Health is a teaching practice. A supervised medical or health-professional student may sometimes be involved in care. You should be told when a student is present, and you may ask to see your clinician without a student if you prefer.
Arriving and cancelling
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment if forms or measurements are required.
Contact us as early as possible if you cannot attend.
Respiratory or infectious symptoms
Telephone before arriving if you have symptoms that may be highly infectious. The team may give you special arrival instructions or arrange another form of consultation.