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Medical Financial Support for Maori – Reducing Inequalities Contingency Fund

Access to a fund which supports whanau to address health needs, through reducing the financial barrier of visiting a GP and picking up necessary prescriptions.

Advocacy, advice and support to whanau to help reduce health inequalities.

Specific criteria apply.

Qualified kaimahi from Tamariki Ora, Disease State Management, Healthy Lifestyles and Whanau Ora provide health and social services at clinics throughout Otago in partnership with others i.e. Agencies, Workplaces, Primary Health Organisations, and other Maori Providers.

Agencies, organisations, or others involved within the community who are interested in working in partnership with Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora to increase Maori health outcomes (i.e. through health promotional activities or clinics) are welcome to contact Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora’s Clinical Manager.

Free breast screening mammograms are provided to eligible women aged 45-69 by Breast Screen Aotearoa every 2 years. For Cromwell patients this is done in Alexandra or Frankton.

New Zealand wide, they diagnose 200 cases of breast cancer every 6 weeks. Another 200 women will find their own breast cancer every 6 weeks.

If you are overdue a screening mammogram please contact Breast Screen Aotearoa or phone them on 0800 270 200 if they have not contacted you by phone.

If you have noticed a breast lump please make an appointment with your doctor at CMC.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Regular cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation are the best ways to protect yourself.

Screening allows for early detection, follow-up testing and treatment. It finds early warning signs before they become cancer.

We provide free consultations during normal working hours for registered children under 13 years of age and under.  This is to enable you to access advice for any health concerns you have about your child.

• Childhood immunisations
• Ear checks and tympanograms
• General health checks
• Growth monitoring
• Healthy diet and activity advice
• Care of the unwell child
• Access to paediatrician specialist care
• Liaison with Plunket and midwives to monitor child development
• Support for parents and caregivers

At Cromwell Medical Centre we have a strong focus on the management of chronic conditions, particularly diabetes.

Our Nurse Practitioner Joanne Dowling-Smith regularly reviews her caseload of patients who have diabetes, in collaboration with diabetes nurse specialist for Central Otago, Sharon Sandilands.  Joanne holds a Master of Nursing and has completed her qualification as a prescribing nurse practitioner.

This free service offers diabetes checks and individualised advice to patients and families regarding:

• Type 1, Type 2 and pre diabetes
• Lifestyle – including teaching presentation and resources
• Management of diabetes and prevention of complications
• Medication
• Insulin initiation (if necessary)

And referral to other services as necessary.

Melanie Mackenzie Hearing is Cromwell’s only locally-owned provider of expert independent hearing healthcare services. Having the freedom to do and go wherever you please, without having the restrictions associated with hearing loss, is important to living a fulfilled life so don’t put it off any longer.

More information is available online.

Heart Checks are free for enrolled patients as follows:

• Males over 45
• Females over 55
• Males over 35 if you are of Indian or Maori ethnicity
• Females over 45 if you are of Indian or Maori ethnicity

These heart checks are funded via the Ministry of Health.  The check involves a practice nurse reviewing you and your family medical history, and a blood test.  Results are then analysed by computer to create your 5 years Cardiovascular Disease risk.

You can then get expert advice from the doctor or nurse on steps you can take to stay healthy. Heart checks are also available for $20 for enrolled patients, and make an ideal gift for someone you care about!

Call reception for an appointment.

Child Immunisations
Post Partum check for mum, and baby’s six week check are booked with the GP together. Immunisations are booked with the nurse to follow.  Book with a Practice Nurse directly for all other childhood immunisations.  

School Immunisation Program
If this is missed during the school program, we can administer the necessary vaccination/s. Or if parents prefer to bring a child into the practice for their immunisations, they can book with a nurse.

Vaccinations and Pregnancy
If you are planning to become pregnant it is highly recommended to check which vaccinations you may need before you become pregnant. Whooping Cough vaccination is strongly recommended for all expecting parents and other adults such as grandparents who will be in close contact with a new baby. Newborns are at risk of serious complications if they contract whooping cough.  Pregnant women can have a free whooping cough vaccine from sixteen weeks. This provides optimal protection for new babies. The Flu/Influenza vaccine can also be given. 

Adult Vaccinations
Please note not all adult vaccines are funded. Some incur a cost and are only free to particular age groups or medical conditions. Immunisation is still relevant in adulthood as ongoing protection is required for preventable diseases. Even if vaccinations were given in childhood, adults may need booster doses to maintain immunity. There are a range of adult vaccines available at our practice.

List of Vaccines

• Whooping Cough (also known as Pertussis)
• Influenza/Flu
• Measles -Mumps-Rubella
• Chickenpox (also known as Varicella)
• Pneumococcal Disease
• Tetanus
• Diptheria
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• We offer the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (now including HPV Virus) for all eligible children.
• Whooping Cough is funded for pregnant women from sixteen weeks and recommended (but not funded) for close family members i.e. partner, grandparents, and close family members.
• Tetanus boosters are recommended at 45 and 65 years of age or early in the case of dirty
• wounds.

Travel Vaccinations – Child and Adult
These need to be booked directly with your GP.

Travel related Diseases we can help you avoid:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Meningococcal disease
• Rabies
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Tetanus, Diptheria + Polio
• Travellers Diarrhoea (Cholera)

We have doctors that are experienced in the insertion and removal of contraceptive devices. This includes multiload and Mirena IUD’s, and the new 4 yearly Jadelle subdermal implants. Just make an appointment with one of the doctors if you would like to discuss some options.

This procedure is funded for Community Service Card holders.

Joan Lloyd is your local massage therapist. She is passionate about her work. Joan will always do her best for each and every person who walks in through her door.  Contact her directly by phone.

Joan grew up in Vanuatu where massage is a standard healing modality. Her mother and her aunties taught her the arts and methods of traditional island massage. This is a gentle technique of sensing for abnormalities to elucidate problems and guide treatment. Joan then trained as a nurse, employed on the outer islands of Vanuatu where a nurse’s role encompasses work normally undertaken in more developed countries by doctors and midwives. She also worked as a registered nurse in New Zealand before retraining as a massage therapist.

Joan completed a two year Diploma in Body Therapy at the New Zealand College of Massage in Auckland. She worked as a massage therapist in a private practice in Auckland and also for the South Auckland Hospice and Presbyterian Support.

Joan is a registered massage therapist with Massage New Zealand. She has also trained in Bowen Therapy, a myofascial release technique used to treat a range of conditions, and is an accredited Bowen practitioner. To remain registered for both Massage and Bowen, Joan has continued her education by attending courses. This keeps her up to date and means that she has done further study on a range of techniques.

You may require laboratory tests including blood tests. Our practice policy is that either a GP or a Nurse will only phone you if you have abnormal results or results from tests that require a change to your health management. You will not be contacted if your results are in normal range and do not require any changes as a result.

You can access your lab results once they have been checked and filed, via the patient portal. If you wish to sign up to the portal go to the link on the website or ask reception about how to register for the portal.

If you feel as though things are not quite right with your mental health, your GP is usually the first port of call. Our GP’s are qualified to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health issues. Some of the symptoms and triggers of a mental health issue can include:

• Life Crisis
• Family conflicts
• Suicidal thoughts
• Trauma
• Psychosis
• Relationship problems
• Constantly feeling ‘down’
• Constant worrying
• Constant feelings of anger

Mental Health has a significant impact on all aspects of life, including thoughts, feelings, behaviour, interactions, relationships, and decision-making. Mental health illnesses include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, addictions, anorexia and bulimia.

What our GP’s can do
The aim of seeing a professional to help with your mental health is to resolve psychological problems and improve your quality of life through various coping strategies.

Mental Health Assessment

• Refer you to our Health Improvement Practitioner Alison or Health Coach Monique for adults and youths
• Refer you to a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, other specialists or support group
• Prescribe medication
• Advise on positive lifestyle adjustments.

Our highly trained and professional clinical team can offer a range of minor surgical procedures including skin cancer excision, removal of sebaceous cysts and lipoma excision in our purpose designed procedure room with latest equipment and fit-out.

This service is available to patients from other practices as well as those registered with the Cromwell Medical Centre, and it will frequently reduce the need to travel further afield for treatment.

Nurse appointments are available early morning and lunchtimes for your convenience.

• Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm

Our nurses have been trained for specialist roles including:

• Wound care, dressings and removal of stitches
• Blood tests / Blood pressure
• Emergency Contraceptive Pills
• ECGs
• Ear syringe
• Hearing test
• Cervical Smears and STI checks
• Plastering and splinting
• Immunisations – Nurses can offer advice on childhood immunisations as well as travel, tetanus and flu vaccinations.
• Cardiovascular risk assessment – including blood pressure cholesterol & blood sugar checks.
• Healthy Lifestyle – Our nurses are qualified to offer you education and advice about nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices which support health.
• Diabetes – Joanne Dowling-Smith and Sharon Sandilands are trained to give expert education and advice about diabetes.
• Pregnancy tests
• Smoking advice
• Telephone triage and advice

Workplace medicals are available for pre-employment checks with a nurse and GP, offering a full range of examinations.  These include drug testing, hearing, vision and lung function.  Advanced planning for these appointments is advised to prevent a waiting time.

Pacific Radiology provides publicly funded examinations under contracts with the Southern District Health Board and provides offsite reporting services to Oamaru and Dunstan Hospitals.

Pacific Radiology perform examinations for ACC and under the Maternity Benefit Scheme. These examinations are part funded only. Most patients will pay a small surcharge.

Pacific Radiology is also partnered with Southern Cross Healthcare and provides affiliated provider services across all sites. All other medical insurance providers are also welcome.

Please contact them directly for bookings or questions.

Habit Health, based in Cromwell Medical Centre, has a team of physiotherapists, sport and musculoskeletal physiotherapists. We have regular visiting doctors and specialists to provide concussion and pain management clinics, neuropsychological screening and rehabilitation, and paediatric services.

Please book directly with them.

The Studio Physiotherapy

There’s nothing worse than feeling out-of-control and nothing takes control away from you faster than injuring your hands. All the things we use to make our mark on the world; computers, phones, steering wheels, even cutlery, all suddenly become insurmountable obstacles if you’d damaged your digits.

Thankfully, the Studio’s hand therapy team are here to help.

Please book directly with The Studio.

Smoking Cessation

At Cromwell Medical Centre we can provide advice and encouragement to stop smoking. We encourage all our patients to be smokefree. If you are thinking about quitting, please feel free to come and talk to a Doctor or Nurse for advice.

There are some excellent new medications available to help you quit, and nearly all medications are now fully funded that make quitting much easier. Using patches or medication greatly increases your chances of quitting, as well as reducing the torture of nicotine withdrawal! Stopping smoking is the best gift you can give yourself and your family. It takes the average smoker many attempts to quit, the message is to keep trying even if you have been unsuccessful in the past.

Helpful Contacts

Quitline – Phone 0800 778 778 for support

ASH – NZ Antismoking group

We currently have funding for two free sexual health visits per year for women under 22 and Maori women under 50.  This covers anything related to sexual health and can include STI checks, pregnancy tests, contraception and cervical smears.  Please check with your doctor if you are eligible for this service. 

Freedom to enjoy your travel by staying healthy and well.

Pre-travel consultation – Make an appointment with a travel medicine trained doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel. Please bring your travel itinerary with you to the consultation. Left it late? Vaccines can still be given last minute.

Vaccinations – Full range of vaccinations and malaria medication. Licenced Yellow Fever vaccinator. Some countries require written proof of vaccinations.

General Health – What do you need to know to be sure you stay well on holiday? Are you doing anything more adventurous? Trekking at altitude? Scuba diving?
Special Advice – Including children and pregnant women who may be more susceptible to illness or have special requirements for vaccinations.

Group Bookings – Tailored packages to suit, including destination specific group presentations by one of our Travel Doctors.

Post Travel – Unwell after an overseas trip? Some diseases are not common in New Zealand and may not develop until you have returned home.

Please book all appointments directly with the Specialists via the links provided.

Dr. Rick Acland and the Spinal Team – From Christchurch, the Spinal Team are using Cromwell Medical Centre as their base to provide comprehensive assessment and care of the patients in this region. A consultant at Burwood hospital in Christchurch, Rick has specialised in spinal cord injury and the treatment of pain for 30 years.

Find out more.

Dr. Wesley Bevan is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in foot and ankle conditions which occur in children and adults, including sports injuries. You can find more details online, including making a booking.

Dr Kate van Harselaar is a gynaecologist based in Dunedin and visits the Cromwell Medical Centre once a month.  Find out more here.

Dr. Bruce Hodgson is an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in spinal injuries, degenerative conditions and tumour surgery as well as hip and knee joint replacement surgeries and orthopaedic sports medicine. See more details online.

Dr. Kate Heer 
Kate is an Otolaryngologist, and Head & Neck Surgeon with a special interests in General Paediatrics, Rhinology.  Kate holds clinics at Cromwell Medical Centre. For more details or to book go online.

Dr. Dean Ruske 
Dean is a Dunedin-based Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon with a special interest in Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer and Rhinology.  He holds private clinics at Cromwell Medical Centre.  For more details or to book go online.

Dr. Ian Bradford
Ian is a general and colorectal surgeon based in Christchurch.  He holds clinics at Cromwell Medical Centre.  For more details or to book go online.

Dr. Andrew Kelly – Andrew is a paediatrician who is based in Dunedin and visits on a regular basis to consult with children and families about a range of infancy, preschool, school age child health and development issues.  You can find out more or make an appointment here.

Dr. Patrick Lyall – Patrick is a plastic surgeon who is based in Dunedin and visits on a regular basis. He specialises in face, breast and body surgery, and can also see you for skin cancer management and hand surgery. Read more about Patrick on his website. 

Dr. Peter Taylor offers neurophysiological services, including nerve conduction studies, for Central Lakes patients in regular clinics on approximately a monthly basis.  

At Cromwell Medical Centre we provide a wide range of women’s health services.  We can discuss and provide contraception, including inserting Jadelle contraceptive implants and Mirena IUDs.

We are also able to provide two free sexual health checks per year to women aged under 22 and Maori women aged under 50.

We do cervical smears and can give information about mammograms and the Breast Screening Programme. We have female practitioners available to do smear tests.