Clinics
ASTHMA/SPIROMETRY
Asthma and Chronic Airways Disease Clinics
Do you wake at night short of breath or coughing? Does that hill look too big to climb? Do you use a relieving inhaler 3 or more times per week? Do you need to have your inhaler with you whenever you exercise? If so, these are some of the signs that you need to see your Practice Nurse for a respiratory assessment.
At Dodson Medical Centre in consultation with our GPs, we offer free regular nursing assessment for patients with Asthma and Chronic Airways Disease. The GASP programme created by a local Asthma Nurse Specialist Wendy McNaughton, can help us assess if your airways disease is being managed in the best way. We can help you to achieve better quality of life by optimising the management of your Asthma or Chronic Airways Disease. We also offer Spirometry at a small cost for those needing more advanced lung function testing.
CARDIOVASCULAR
The charts shows the cardiac risk of a 48yr male that smokes, has high blood pressure, and poor diet, and what happens to the risk factor if you make changes to your life style. The green line What If indicator shows how the changes brings your risk below the high risk level
Free Cardiovascular Risk Assessments are offered to all males aged 45-74 and females aged 55-74, and 10 years earlier to persons of Maori, Pacific or Southeast Asian nationality. This programme is funded by the NZ government to help us identify persons at risk of developing heart disease and to assist with management of those who already have heart disease. We encourage all people in this age group to take the opportunity to take a closer look at their health. It doesn?t take long. All you have to do is one blood test, then book in with your nurse to answer some simple questions in a free consultation. Once we identify your risk factor we can then offer you better, more comprehensive health care if required.
Dr Sue Loughlin : MENOPAUSE CLINIC
Dr Sue Loughlin is offering a menopause clinic also available to non-enrolled patients.
45 minute appointment at Dodson Medical Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am ? 4pm, to discuss up to date evidence, risk and benefits of HRT and alternative options to decide most suitable and effective treatment. If HRT was suitable a discussion on all of the available types, oral vs. patches or creams, the progesterone?s and which ones, and contraceptive cover if needed.
Examination would include breast check, gynae exam if needed, and cardiovascular risk assessment (including blood tests if not already done).
A highly recommended 30 page booklet is given for free and other leaflets as appropriate. HRT or alternatives maybe prescribed if all requirements are completed or delayed for follow-up visit.
After the consultation a brief summary of the consult can be sent to you to keep and/or given to your regular GP
Cost: 1st appointment 45 minutes $170.00
2nd followup 15 minutes $75.00
DIABETES CLINIC
Diabetes
Ministry of health guidelines recommend people with type 2 diabetes have a Ffree annual review for their diabetes. At Dodson, our nurses are trained to provide comprehensive diabetes checks and are also able to offer regular follow up visits to enable the person with diabetes to achieve the best control possible.
Annual diabetes checks include medication use, foot checks, monitoring of your diabetes via laboratory results, blood pressure, weight and eye checks. It is a valuable opportunity to take the time to make sure you are controlling your diabetes as well as possible. A support person is welcome to accompany you.
We are able to download glucose readings from meters and attach them to your file electronically so the doctor and other health professionals are able to access the results easily. To ensure the best outcomes are available for your diabetes care, we encourage you to have three monthly follow up appointments with the nurse. There is some funding available for this, please ask if you qualify.
CAREPLUS
Care Plus is a government funded programme for patients who have 2 or more ongoing chronic conditions requiring extra input from GPs and Practice Nurses. The aim of this programme is to assist you to understand and manage your condition more effectively. Your GP or Practice Nurse will be able to let you know if you qualify for this programme.
Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, hypertension, obesity, depression and high cholesterol are just some of the conditions that are managed under this programme.
Practice Nurses implementing the Care Plus clinics are expected to have extensive knowledge of chronic disease states and in consultation with GPs work with patients to manage their chronic conditions. Next time you visit make sure you ask if you qualify for this programme.
