Ground floor, Ilam Health Building, 110 Memorial Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch : Ph 03 351 6198 :

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Flu / Covid Update 2023

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023

Flu Appointments

Appointments are now available for Flu Vaccinations from 4 April 2023.
Bookings can be made over the phone now or,
via the Indici patient portal after 4 April.

 

Why is the influenza vaccination important this year?

This year, as COVID-19 restrictions have eased and borders are open, it can be expected that a resurgence of respiratory viruses will follow, including influenza. During COVID-19 outbreaks, influenza vaccination is important, as the co-circulation of both diseases leads to an increased risk of serious illness if both viruses are caught whilst unvaccinated.

 

Eligibility:

The influenza vaccine is recommended and funded for people who meet the eligibility criteria, as set by PHARMAC. This includes

– All children (tamariki) aged 6 months – 12 years old

– Pregnant people

– People aged 65 years and older

– People aged from 13 years to under 65 years with eligible conditions

– Māori and Pacific peoples aged 55 to 64 years

For a full list of eligible conditions, please refer to www.influenza.org.nz, or view the PHARMAC website: https://schedule.pharmac.govt.nz/ScheduleOnline.php

 

The Vaccines Available This Year:

Age Vaccine Dose Number of doses Cost per dose
(If not eligible for a funded vaccine)
6-35 months Afluria Quad Junior 0.25mL 1 or 2*  

 

N/A
(This is funded for all in this age group).

3 – 12 years Afluria Quad 0.5mL 1 or 2*  

 

N/A
(This is funded for all in this age group).

 

13-64 years

 

Afluria Quad

 

0.5mL

 

1 or 2*

 

$24

 

≥ 65 years Afluria Quad
(Funded option)
0.5mL 1 N/A
(This is funded for all in this age group).
Fluad Quad
(Non-funded option)**
0.5mL 1 $40.00

 

 

*Tamariki aged 6 months to under 9 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time should receive two doses, at least 4 weeks apart.

**Fluad Quad is available for purchase for those aged ≥ 65 years.
As we age, our immune system becomes less effective. This vaccine is designed to promote a stronger immune response, and so is potentially more effective for people in this age group.

 

COVID-19 and the Influenza Vaccination

It is safe to have the Influenza vaccination at the same time as all COVID-19 vaccinations, except Novavax. Please refer to the listed websites for information, or call to discuss any concerns or queries with a nurse before booking your appointment.

If you have had COVID-19, and are no longer isolating, there is no stand-down period required before having your influenza vaccination.

For more information, please refer to the following website: https://www.influenza.org.nz/sites/default/files/IMAC_Flu_Kit_2022_29-03-2022.pdf

Covid19  Boosters

Appointments for Covid Booster will be available from mid April.
More information to follow in a later post.

Virtual After Hours option

Monday, December 19th, 2022

Ilam Medical Centre have signed up with Practice Plus to offer an additional option for After Hours care.

Available from 5:00pm – 10:00pm on Weekdays, and from 8:00am – 8:00pm on Weekends & Public holidays.  By using Practice Plus you can connect with trusted medical care quickly via your computer and a virtual consultation can be arranged. This service may well meet your needs where a registered clinician can determine the appropriate care for you virtually. If a face to face examination is necessary, they will recommend going to your current After Hours service or Emergency Department .

How does it work

Through video or phone technology, a Practice Plus Clinician can privately and securely help treat most medical needs, sicknesses or injuries. From a common cold, contraceptive options, migraines and more, Practice Plus can provide treatment and prescriptions direct to your pharmacy along with health counselling and off-work certificates, as well as many more conditions.

If you need to be seen in-person your Practice Plus Clinician will provide advice on the next steps in your care plan and the services available including connecting you back with Ilam Medical Centre, the Afterhours Clinic or Emergency Department.

The notes of your appointment will be sent back to your GP at Ilam Medical Centre for continuity of care, unless you request these not to be shared.

You will need a smart phone, or camera equipped computer and credit card facilities, and you can login using your existing myindici® details.

Accessing Practice Plus

Click on the graphic below to access the site

 

New Enrolments Closed

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Unfortunately we are unable to take any new patients currently.
Our numbers have increased over 2022, to a such a level that we must ensure that we provide the level of care our current patients expect!

Patient Portal

Monday, January 31st, 2022

Our patient portal is called myindici™

Patients who are registered on the portal are able to: Book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view results online.

If you are set up, and registered

 

If you are not set up…

You will need your email, date of birth and NHI number to complete this process for the first time.

Please note that you will need to visit the practice in person to complete the registration process as we are required to sight your ID to give full access. The requirement to sight ID is for the protection of your privacy.  ID must be sighted in person, not via an email. Please phone us on 351 6198 if you are having any issues with this process.

 

 

Building Progress

Tuesday, October 26th, 2021

It is exciting to see the new building well and truly take shape right next to the carpark. After having outgrown our existing premises we love seeing the spaces develop that will enable us to offer a greater level of care and comfort for you, our patients.

The prospect of combining a range of services here in one building is also something we look forward to, when we become a part of “Ilam Health”.
We’ll still be Ilam Medical Centre, but with Dental,  Physio, Podiatry and Psychologist services along with the pharmacy under the same roof, it will be a great asset for our patients and local community!

More to come but for now, some progress pics from the ground up… and up!

Welcome to Level 2

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

During level 2 the following processes are in place:

  • Face to face appointments are available with your doctor. We do encourage patients to book telephone appointments if you think your issue can be managed via the telephone instead of coming.  You will be triaged for these face to face appointments appointments.
  • Our opening hours have returned to normal:  The phones will be answered from 8:10am – 5:30pm.  Outside of these times the phones will be answered by a nurse triage telephone service
  • Anyone entering our building will be required to wear a face mask unless you have an exemption in which case we ask that you provide documentation immediately to reception.

 

Appointments during level 2

Appointments for face to face or telephone consultations with your Doctor can be made via our patient portal – ManageMyHealth.

Any type of appointment can be booked by calling reception.  If you want a face to face appointment, you will be asked the following health questions before an appointment is made.
Do you have any of the following?:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sneezing/runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Have you been in managed isolation recently?
  • Have you had contact with any proven or suspected case of Covid-19 or had a swab done
    yourself?
  • Have you travelled to Auckland in the last 14 days?

If you have any symptoms you will be put on our Nurse telephone triage list for the day.
You will be phoned back and your medical needs assessed.
You may be booked for a Covid swab by our staff at our Clinic B (separate building next door).
It may be appropriate for you to have a telephone consult or a carpark consult if you have any
respiratory symptoms.

Telephone consultations

Telephone consultations can be very useful and a good option for issues not requiring physical
examination. Recent legislative changes mean we are now able to provide ACC consultations and
renew sickness benefits via telephone consultation. Please make sure we have your correct
telephone number.  Standard consultation charges apply.

Carpark consults

Carpark consults may be required where you need to be seen but also have respiratory symptoms
meaning that you also require a Covid swab.
The triage nurse will discuss the process with you at the time of booking. Please call reception upon arrival 3516 198

Covid swabs

As per the Ministry of Health’s current case definition we are providing COVID-19 test swabbing for
all our enrolled patients (appointment only) that are experiencing any of the above symptoms.
If you fall into this group, we strongly encourage you to contact us and arrange an appointment through our triage nurse to get a swab as this is the best way to pick up a recurrence of COVID in the community.

Getting a Covid swab here

If you are booked for a Covid swab you will need to use the entrance to “Clinic B’ to the right of our
main driveway. Please call reception upon arrival 3516 198 and Do NOT get out of your car.

The nurse will come to your vehicle to do the swab. If you are on foot, please observe social distancing
and wait in the carpark.

Swab Results
The results of your COVID-19 swab are usually available 24-48 hours after the swab is taken.
 If the
result is positive, you will be contacted by Community & Public Health and they will begin contact
tracing to try to establish a connection with an existing known infected person. If the result is
negative, you will be contacted by one of our staff.

Tracer app

Please scan our NZ COVID Tracer QR code when you enter the building, especially if you are
accompanying a patient, as you will not be recorded in our appointment books for the day.

Infection control

We will continue to have an emphasis within the practice on infection control by strict handwashing
routines for staff and the use of personal protection equipment by staff where necessary.
We ask that all patients use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure from the medical centre.

ANY PATIENT WITH RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS  WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO WAIT IN THE BUILDING IF THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN ASSESSED BY ONE OF OUR CLINICAL STAFF AN ALLOWED TO ENTER.

Are you feeling OK?

Covid 19 has brought many challenges to us all. Some people are more affected than others. Social
isolation and financial as well as health concerns impact our physical and emotional health. If you
need to discuss this with your GP, book an appointment.
You can also access 24 hour telephone support by using the “Need to talk” service by texting 1737

Government Covid info

The best place to get the most up to date information is the NZ Government website:
www.covid19.govt.nz

 

Healthinfo website

You can also visit the Healthinfo website:

 

Or you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116

Level 3 lockdown

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

During level 3 & 4 the following processes are in place:

  • Telephone appointments will be available with your Doctor
  • Face to face consults in the practice will still be available, these are only offered if absolutely necessary.  You will be triaged for these appointments.
  • Access to our building will be strictly limited to those patients with confirmed bookings. Please do not “drop in” to the clinic as you will be refused access.
  • Our opening hours will be between 9:00am – 4:00pm.  Outside of these times the phones will be answered by a nurse triage telephone service

 

Appointments during level 3 & 4

Appointments for telephone, in person or Covid 19 testa can be made by calling the reception team.
If you want a face to face appointment, you will be asked the following health questions before an appointment is made.
Do you have any of the following:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sneezing/runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Have you been in managed isolation recently?
  • Have you had contact with any proven or suspected case of Covid-19 or had a swab done
    yourself?
  • Have you travelled to Auckland in the last 14 days?

If you have any symptoms you will be put on our Nurse telephone triage list for the day.
You will be phoned back and your medical needs assessed.
You may be booked for a Covid swab by our staff at our Clinic B (separate building next door).
It may be appropriate for you to have a telephone consult or a carpark consult if you have any
respiratory symptoms.

Telephone consultations

Telephone consultations can be very useful and a good option for issues not requiring physical
examination. Recent legislative changes mean we are now able to provide ACC consultations and
renew sickness benefits via telephone consultation. Please make sure we have your correct
telephone number.  Standard consultation charges apply.

Carpark consults

Carpark consults may be required where you need to be seen but also have respiratory symptoms
meaning that you also require a Covid swab.
The triage nurse will discuss the process with you at the time of booking. Please call reception upon arrival 3516 198

Covid swabs

As per the Ministry of Health’s current case definition we are providing COVID-19 test swabbing for
all our enrolled patients (appointment only) that are experiencing any of the above symptoms.
If you fall into this group, we strongly encourage you to contact us and arrange an appointment through our triage nurse to get a swab as this is the best way to pick up a recurrence of COVID in the community.

Getting a Covid swab here

If you are booked for a Covid swab you will need to use the entrance to “Clinic B’ to the right of our
main driveway. Please call reception upon arrival 3516 198 and Do NOT get out of your car.

The nurse will come to your vehicle to do the swab. If you are on foot, please observe social distancing
and wait in the carpark.

Swab Results
The results of your COVID-19 swab are usually available 24-48 hours after the swab is taken.
If the
result is positive, you will be contacted by Community & Public Health and they will begin contact
tracing to try to establish a connection with an existing known infected person. If the result is
negative, you will be contacted by one of our staff.

Tracer app

Please scan our NZ COVID Tracer QR code when you enter the building, especially if you are
accompanying a patient, as you will not be recorded in our appointment books for the day.

Infection control

We will continue to have an emphasis within the practice on infection control by strict handwashing
routines for staff and the use of personal protection equipment by staff where necessary.
We ask that all patients use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure from the medical centre.
We will also provide a mask for patients with respiratory symptoms.
THESE PATIENTS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO WAIT IN THE BUILDING IF THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN ASSESSED.

Are you feeling OK?

Covid 19 has brought many challenges to us all. Some people are more affected than others. Social
isolation and financial as well as health concerns impact our physical and emotional health. If you
need to discuss this with your GP, book an appointment.
You can also access 24 hour telephone support by using the “Need to talk” service by texting 1737

Government Covid info

The best place to get the most up to date information is the NZ Government website:
www.covid19.govt.nz

 

Healthinfo website

You can also visit the Healthinfo website:

 

Or you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116

Our New Website

Friday, November 20th, 2020

Welcome to our new website

We are excited to launch this new site to help enhance how we provide care for you and support healthcare.
It is the start of what we hope will become an important way for you to find good information and support, whether you are a new patient, or someone in the middle of long term illness.

Feedback

While we have plans for information and features to add, welcome your feedback and would love to hear from you.

New Building

Thursday, November 12th, 2020

Ilam Medical Centre are thrilled to part of the Ilam Health development being built on the neighbouring site, 110 Memorial Avenue. Building is set to begin in the first quarter of 2021 and we aim to move in by early 2022.

 The new building will house Ilam Medical Centre, Healthworks pharmacy downstairs as well as Ilam Physio and other allied health specialties on the first floor. 

Whilst our current building has served us well, we have outgrown it. Our new purpose built medical centre will enable us to offer more services in a modern setting. Our focus will still be on delivering excellent service that is personal and friendly.

Keep an eye on this page for progress updates.