Heading into the busy winter season the Kaipara Medical Centre is asking for the community to help its hard-working team so visits are as simple and efficient as possible.

Appointments with doctors can be made either with a receptionist or online at kaiparamedicalcentre.co.nz. The advantage of booking online is that you can see when the individual doctors are available.

For on-the-day appointments a Duty Doctor is available. Rather than coming in and sitting in the waiting room for lengthy periods, patients are encouraged to call reception and ask to speak to a Triage Nurse. The nurse will call them back and make a time for them to come in and if necessary see the Duty Doctor.

The community is reminded that Kaipara Medical Centre is not an Accident and Emergency Centre.

The nearest A&E facilities are at Waitakere Hospital in Lincoln Road which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week and Westgate Medical Centre and Silverdale Medical which are both open 8am – 8pm, 7 days. And, of course, always dial 111 in case of an emergency.