The Kaipara Medical Centre Board is excited to announce upcoming changes that will improve both its clinical efficiencies and the overall health outcomes for patients.

The changes come after an extensive review of the centre by Procare, which looked at options for reconfiguring the site and ways to improve clinical efficiencies.

The three key changes to take place over the next 12-15 months are:

1. A reconfiguration of the front desk and patient waiting areas beginning early 2018.

2. The establishment of an onsite dispensary so patients have the option of having their prescriptions filled at the centre.

3. From 1 December 2017 an increase in fees for our extended hours clinics only.

The reconfiguration of the public spaces at the centre will result in greater waiting room privacy and address the issue of cold weather entering the building from the automatic entry doors. It will also create room for the onsite dispensary. It is expected the building work will begin in early 2018, with minimal disruption for patients and staff.

The creation of a dispensary is an exciting one for the Kaipara Medical Centre as it will give patients the option of having their prescriptions filled on-site following their doctor's appointment.

Board Chairman Dianne Kidd says "this change will bring huge benefit to our community, especially our elderly and disabled patients who can find it difficult to have to visit two locations to see their doctor and then have a prescription filled." The centre is working with local pharmacies through a tender process to secure the contract to help fund and operate the dispensary.

From 1 December 2017 the fees for extended hours clinics held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings (5.30pm–7.30pm) and on Saturday mornings (8.30am–12 noon) will increase. The extended hours clinics are usually fully booked, and to date have been subsidised by the Kaipara Medical Centre.

Dianne Kidd says, "the evening and Saturday morning clinics are very important to our community, especially given the high number of residents who live local and commute daily to work elsewhere. These fee increases will ensure this highly-valued service can continue to operate and pay for itself."

A registered adult client of the Kaipara Medical Centre will find the cost of a doctor's visit during those extended hours will rise from $28 to $45, and a nurse's visit will rise from $18 to $25. A registered 13-17 year old patient who visits a doctor during extended hours will pay $32. Prices at those clinics for procedures such as smears ($25) and spirometry ($36) are unchanged, and under-13 year olds remain free, at all times.

Dianne Kidd also points out, "not many other practices in the wider Rodney or West Auckland area are open for such extensive hours and the new prices remain very competitive with other practices in the greater Auckland area."

There are no changes to fees for existing regular hours, Monday to Friday between 8.30am–5.00pm.