Dr Phill Barter, Kaipara Medical Centre

The Kaipara Medical Centre is going from strength to strength after just over six months of ownership by ProCare and as its core team of doctors and nurses grows, it's looking to take on new patients.

At the end of November last year ProCare bought the local GP practice from its previous owners, the Helensville District Health Trust, the Waitematā District Health Board and two shareholding GPs.

Dr Phillip Barter who has been with Kaipara Medical Centre for 17 years and is its longest-serving GP says patients won't have noticed too much change, "except they might have seen me smiling more," he jokes.

For a number of years, the medical centre had difficulty recruiting and retaining staff, but Dr Phill says the current seven GPs are proving a strong, committed team.

"I think we are lucky to have a varied group of doctors with different skills sets and personalities and with most of them now living locally they're more invested in the area."

Dr Francesco Lentini is the new Chairperson of the Kaipara Medical Centre Board as well as acting as Clinical Director.

He says the focus for the next six months will be to slowly build on the good work already achieved and to add another doctor and another nurse to the team to ensure there are more appointments available.

"We're working to streamline the backend of the service, all the stuff the patients don't need to see but that is so important to good quality care," Dr Lentini says, "as well as ensure the staff are well resourced so the people around Helensville continue to enjoy high-quality healthcare at a much lower price than so many other New Zealand communities."

The other change patients may notice is upgrades to the main treatment room, an investment Dr Lentini says is about ensuring the centre is up-to-date and modern.

Dr Lentini also offers his thanks to the Kaipara Medical Centre staff and to the wider community for their understanding and patience during the various levels of Covid-19 lockdown.

"We're incredibly proud of how the team and the community responded and we should all take our share in the success of the country in eliminating the spread of the disease through the community," he says.

ProCare is a cooperative network of 170 GP practices around Auckland, but the purchase of the Helensville based practice is the first time it has become the owner of one.

"It's been an adventure for ProCare as well," says Dr Lentini, "but, as we've put our mark on the practice we've been very impressed with the skills of the staff and the value they bring and we know how much they're appreciated by the community."