Our Team

Tania Wilson

Receptionist

Information

Here you will find information, links and general medical tips & advice.

What is HealthOne?

HealthOne is a south island based secure electronic record that allows registered healthcare providers directly involved in your healthcare, to quickly access information such as your test results, allergies, medications, GP summaries and hospital information.

HealthOne strictly adheres to the principles of the Privacy Act, 2020 as well as Rule 5 (Storage and Security of Health Information) set out in the Health Information Privacy Code 2020. Access is only possible via an approved highly secure healthcare information network which is regularly audited and tested. Privacy auditing is used to check that only those directly involved in your care are accessing your information.

To find out more about HealthOne please visit https://healthone.org.nz/. Please note that you are entitled to restrict the sharing of your healthcare records by contacting 0508 837 872 or emailing healthone.privacy@pegasus.org.nz

Please note that this practice is contributing to, and accessing healthcare information from HealthOne

What is a Point of Care test?

At Blue Penguin we often use point-of-care tests. This is a rapid diagnostic tool used in primary care settings to measure the level of CRP in your blood or test for Strep throat. The doctor or the nurse will take a small amount of blood from a finger prick and or swab your throat during the consultation.

CRP is an inflammatory marker, and elevated levels can indicate inflammation in the body. This test helps healthcare providers assess the severity of infections or monitor inflammatory conditions, aiding in the diagnostic process.

The quick results enable timely decisions about patient care during the primary care visit. Keep in mind that while Point of Care testing is valuable, clinical judgment and additional assessments are crucial for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. For example we might test you when you have chest infection or a sore throat to help us decide if you need antibiotics. This helps us to reduce to unnecessary use of antibiotics. 

The danger of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change in a way that makes antibiotics less effective against them. It’s like bacteria learning to defend themselves, so the usual medicines don’t work as well. This is a big issue in healthcare because it makes it harder to treat infections, and simple infections could become more dangerous. It’s important for doctors and patients to use antibiotics wisely to slow down this resistance and keep our medicines effective. 

The majority of airway infections in primary care settings are caused by viruses. Estimates suggest that around 85-90% of acute respiratory infections, like the common cold, are viral in nature. However, it’s essential to note that these percentages can vary based on factors such as geographic location, time of year, and the specific population being studied. Viral infections are generally more common, but bacterial infections can also play a role, especially in certain clinical contexts.

In New Zealand, like in many places, antibiotic resistance is on the rise. That is why at Blue Penguin we try to avoid the unnecessary use  of antibiotics and we might not give antibiotics as easily as you are used to with your previous GP. On the other hand, we are always willing to assess you to see if you need antibiotics or not. If you call before 0900 o’clock we always have urgent appointment on the day to examine you if needed.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gps-called-to-cut-antibiotic-prescriptions-by-a-third/BGF77LFC4TUSS7YVIFB3WR4PMQ/

Helpful Links

https://www.justathought.co.nz/health-anxiety

https://healthify.nz/

https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/w/weight-loss-medicines/

https://www.diabetes.org.nz/living-well-with-diabetes

https://buy.stjohn.org.nz/first-aid-products/equipment/monitoring/dynarex-digital-upper-arm-blood-pressure-monitor/#Delivery%20Information

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/15/movies/stutz-review.html?unlocked_article_code=1.80w.h-L6.3xmSM67FtRMj&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Immigration Medicals

Welcome and thank you for using Blue Penguin Medical Centre for your Immigration Medical. We pride ourselves on providing a high quality professional medical service and are proud  Blue Penguin Medical has gained  Foundation Standard, which is an assessment from the College Practitioners for excellent standards.  Please find below some information on the process and the costs.

1. Please be clear what Visa you are applying for and what medical service you need as most need a full assessment and examination and others do not.

2. When you contact Blue Penguin Medical 03 6849503 please advise the receptionist that this is about an immigration medical and they will make you an appointment.

3. Immigration medicals are done in four parts with two at Blue Penguin Medical; one at Awanui Labs and one at Pacific Radiology.

• The first part is when you see the nurse and she will take your photo, go over the initial questions on the immigration medical web site and give you the chest x-ray radiology and blood test forms if required. This takes about 45 minutes.
• The bloods are taken at the Awanui lab situated in Dee Street. No appointment is needed. You must pay the laboratory for these tests . Prices range from $97 to $260.00
• The chest x-ray is done at Pacific Radiology, 45 Elizabeth Street, Timaru. Phone 0800 869 729 . Please note you must make an appointment for this. Fee $185.00 for Visa medicals, to be paid at time of appointment. When you have booked your medical with Blue Penguin, for out of town patients, you can then phone Pacific Radiology to get an appointment on the same day, but after you have seen the GP , to prevent
  extra travel.
• After you see the Nurse, you see the Doctor, who completes the physical examination. Once the Dr receives the x-ray results and blood results he will check this and if all is in order, he will submit your medical. This is usually within 5 days.

4. At each of the appointments with Nurse, Doctor, Awanui Laboratory, and Pacific Radiology, you must have your passport with you for ID.

25. FEES at Blue Penguin Medical Centre are:

Adult General – $300.00
Adult Limited – $200.00
Children 11-14 yrs – $150.00
Children 5-10 years – $100.00
Children 0-4 years – $ 50.00

All fees no not include labs or x’rays

6. Please note that if you need any further medical services then you will be charged at the unsubsidized rate, unless your visa qualifies you for government funding.