Latest News
COVID Vaccinations
From Wednesday 3rd April, you will be able to receive your COVID vaccination at the practice. It must be more than six months since your previous COVID Vaccine or COVID infection.
Flu Vaccinations
We are please to announce that Funded flu vaccinations will be available from Tuesday 2nd of April. Anyone over 65 is eligible for a free influenza vaccination each year. Some people (under 65 years) with chronic medical conditions also qualify for a free vaccine.
We strongly encourage everyone to have a flu vaccine as we go into winter this year.
Non-funded FLU vaccines are available NOW for those who don’t meet the funding criteria. These can be purchased for $35.00.
If you are over 65 and wish to have extra protection against the influenza infection, you can purchase the non-funded Fluad Quad for $45.00.
Staff Updates
We are pleased to welcome Dr Nick Buist to the practice. He is available for appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Dr Melissa Hunter will be returning from Maternity Leave on 5th June. She will be available for appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Dr Peter Cunningham: Message from Peter
From Mid-March 2024, I will be retiring from regular general practice at Kitchener Rd Medical Centre. Over 35 years I have had found it a privilege to be involved so closely in the lives of many of you and I will miss the special nature of that relationship. However, I have other interests to pursue and the time is right for a change.
I am confident in the ongoing care that our remaining doctors can provide. You will be able to transfer your care to one of the younger doctors working with us:
· Dr Gareth Roberts
· Dr Martine Gerritsen
· Dr Nick Buist
· Dr Melissa Hunter (returning June 2024)
· Dr Jess Arcus
I will be available for relief work so you may still see me round on occasion. Unfortunately we have had to close our books to new enrolments due to a temporary Doctor shortage. We are unsure at this stage when our books will re-open.
You can request to be added to our waitlist by emailing admin@krmc.co.nz. When we have the capacity to take on new patients we will email you to confirm you still wish to enrol with the practice.
New Enrolments
Unfortunately we have had to close our books to new enrolments due to a temporary Doctor shortage. We are unsure at this stage when our books will re-open.
You can request to be added to our waitlist by emailing admin@krmc.co.nz. When we have the capacity to take on new patients we will email you to confirm you still wish to enrol with the practice.
Patient Portal
Manage My Health portal is now up and running. If you did not receive an email from MMH inviting you to join the portal, please contact Reception and they will send you a link.
Please be aware, that when you first activate your MMH account, it will take a few hours for your information to be transferred from the previous (ConnectMed) portal, so for the first couple of hours you won’t be able to see your prescription list or previous lab results.
Manage My Health can be accessed online https://www.managemyhealth.co.nz/ or via an app. You can find the app on both the Apple App Store or Google Play.Meningitis
Vaccinations
Meningitis
Meningitis ACYW (Menactra or Nimenrix) and Meningitis B (Bexsero) vaccination is now funded for individuals aged 13-26 who are moving into close living quarters i.e. dormitories, barracks, university halls of residence. These vaccines both cover 4 strains of bacteria known to cause meningitis.
Meningitis B vaccination (Bexsero) is now fully funded as part of the routine vaccination schedule in childhood and will be offered with the 3-month, 5-month and 12-month vaccinations for children under 1 year old. It is recommended that children have a dose of paracetamol half an hour before this vaccination. Catch-up vaccination is funded for all children under 5 years old. Please see the link below for full details.
Shingles
Shingrix vaccine replaces Zostavax and is fully funded for individuals in their 65th year (aged 65). It is recommended to have the doses 2-6 months apart. Shingrix is also funded for individuals aged 18 and over who fit certain criteria i.e. immunosuppressed. Please see the link below for full details.
Privately Funded Vaccines
Many funded vaccines, including those discussed above, are also available for private purchase if you do not meet the funding criteria. All privately funded vaccines must be discussed with a doctor and prescribed before they can be given. They must be prepaid and the vaccine will be ordered once payment has been received.
This year, we are also offering non-funded Fluad for individuals aged 65+. Fluad contains an extra molecule designed to help create more antibodies against influenza. This can provide better protection in the over 65s. We expect to have Fluad available from the 3rd week of March.
Costs vary between vaccines and are available on request. Please note, some vaccinations require more than one dose given over a period of time.
More information
More detailed information on the above vaccines is available at:
Meningococcal ACYX https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/menactra and https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/nimenrix
Meningococcal B https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/bexsero
Shingles https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/shingrix
Influenza https://www.influenza.org.nz/, https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/influenza-vaccine and https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/f/FluadQuad.pdf