Policies
Test Results Policy: We will contact patients regarding significant or clinically abnormal results. We do not routinely contact patients with normal results, but are happy for you to phone our Nursing team to confirm your results.
Prescriptions Policy: If you require a repeat prescription and don’t require a consultation with your NP/GP, please call and request a Nurse to call you back. Please allow two working days to process your request. Prescriptions will be sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy and a fee of $35 will be charged to your account. To provide the best standard of care, the NP/GP may decline a request for a repeat prescription if you haven’t a consultation within the last 6 months.
Do not email prescription requests. Please call or use the MMH patient portal.
Medical Reports and Forms Policy: Please ask a Receptionist about the completion of any required medical reports and forms; an NP/GP’s appointment may not always be necessary – in this case, forms are generally completed within a few days and a fee is charged on a time basis.
Missed Appointments Policy: In the event of missed appointments, or cancellations within 1 hour of the appointment time, a non-attendance fee of $35 will be charged to your account.
Drugs of Dependence Prescriptions Policy: click here to get our policy statement regarding the prescription of drugs of dependence.
Lincoln Medical abides by NZ’s Child Protection policy that includes Police vetting of ALL staff.
Appointments
NP/GP and Nurse Consultations by appointment only. Please phone: 325 2411 or book online
Please make the most of your GP/NP’s appointment by following these tips:
A typical GP/NP appointment is only 15 minutes long. Your GP/NP needs to have enough time to listen to your needs or symptoms, examine you, create a plan with you, complete paperwork, and potentially write a referral letter.
To help us use your time effectively, please:
- Before your appointment, please write down your symptoms, how long you have had them, and any questions you have.
- Be honest with us. We are here to help, and we need to know everything to provide you with the best care. Don’t be afraid to discuss any uncomfortable topics.
- If you have a list, tell the GP/NP everything at the beginning of your appointment. This will help the GP/NP prioritize which issues to address first.
- If you have multiple concerns, consider booking a double appointment. This will allow us to address more of your problems thoroughly. If you haven’t booked a double appointment, please understand if we request that you schedule another one to discuss additional problems. We want to give you the care you deserve without rushing, and after 15 minutes, the next patient is waiting.
- Remember that a medication review appointment has a specific purpose – to ensure that your medicines are still needed, check if doses need to change, and ensure that necessary tests and immunizations are up to date. If there are other concerns, consider booking a separate appointment.
- If you have been prescribed a new medicine elsewhere, please bring it with you or write down the name and dosage.
- If we need to examine you, please wear clothing that is easy to remove, especially if you have an injury.
- For ACC consultations, keep in mind that we need time to take a history of your injury, examine you, and complete the paperwork.
- Expect us to be respectful and listen to you. In return, please be kind to us.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners are highly skilled autonomous health practitioners who have advanced education, clinical training, and demonstrated competency. They have the legal authority to practice beyond the level of a Registered Nurse.
Nurse Practitioner training
To register in the Nurse Practitioner scope of practice the following qualifications are required:
- Registration with the Nursing Council in the registered nurse scope of practice.
- A minimum of four years experience in a specific area of practice.
- The completion of an approved clinical master’s degree which includes the demonstration of the competencies for advanced practice and prescribing applied within a defined area of practice of the Nurse Practitioner. The program must include relevant theory or concurrent practice or the completion of an overseas clinically-focused master’s degree qualification that meets the requirements specified above.
- Passing an assessment by an approved panel against the Nurse Practitioner’s competencies.
- A minimum of 300 hours of clinical supervision.
Nurse Practitioners combine their advanced nursing knowledge and skills with diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic knowledge. They provide care for people with both common and complex conditions.
Many Nurse Practitioners work in primary care where, like General Practitioners, they may be the lead health care provider for health consumers and their families/whānau. Some Nurse Practitioners own their own practice. Others work for district health boards, non-governmental organisations, or for Māori and iwi providers. Nurse practitioners are more likely to work in rural areas and in underserved communities.
There are now more than 750 of the skilled practitioners working around New Zealand.
Although numbers are growing, people don’t always understand what nurse practitioners do.
Chaperone/Support person
We offer all our patients the right to have a chaperone present during consultations or internal/intimate examinations if they wish.
Doctors may also request the assistance of a chaperone. You may wish to bring a support person with you or have a nurse chaperone. Please ask your Doctor or Nurse.
Emergencies
If you have a medical emergency Phone 111, Ask for St. John Ambulance
Out of Hours Care
Calls made outside normal hours will be directed to a 24 Hour Registered Nurse triage service. Experienced nurses will be able to provide advice and direct you to medical services if this is required. You will be directed to the 24 Hour Surgery located at 401 Madras Street in Christchurch if you require medical assessment.
Home Visits
If you feel you require a home visit please phone the surgery before 10.00 a.m. Home visits are charged in addition to the standard consultation fee. Phone number: (03) 325 2411
Confidentiality
If you need to discuss issues of a confidential nature, please speak with our receptionist and we can provide more privacy. We vigorously protect the confidentiality and privacy of all our consultations and discussions with you.
Health Records
We document your attendance using both computerised and paper medical records. Our Health Information and Privacy leaflet is available on request.
You might find the following links helpful:
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz – good quality health information for you and your family
http://www.healthnavigator.
http://www.appetiteforlife.
http://www.activecanterbury.
https://www.qtopia.org.nz/ – support for rainbow young people
Feedback
We welcome comments or suggestions about the service that we provide. Please complete our Feedback Form (available on request at the reception desk). Our Complaints Officer is Debbie, the Practice Manager, who will administer your concerns under the terms of our Complaints Procedure.