Why Only 15 Minutes? 

 

Fifteen minutes is the standard consultation time for medical practices across New Zealand due to the current level of government funding provided to primary health care providers. Our GPs work really hard to give you the best possible service within that time. All our consultation fees are based on the maximum appointment time of 15 minutes and we need to stick to that time to cover our costs, make sure our doctors get regular breaks, and keep our waiting time as short as possible. 

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How to Make the Most of your Consult Time 

Here are some things you can do to make the most of your GP appointment: ​

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1. Decide on the most important thing you want to discuss with your doctor before you come and make sure you discuss that with your GP first to ensure they have enough time to address it. 

2. Don’t bring a long list of things to discuss in one appointment. Fifteen minutes only allows one to two issues to be adequately addressed. Please prioritise what you want to discuss with your GP and start with the most important.  

3. Check the results of any recent tests you’ve had and write down any questions you have. (If you have joined ManageMyHealth, all your test results will be online).  

4. Decide what you want from your consult and make sure you tell your GP. For instance, if you expect an x-ray or a referral for more specialist help, your GP needs to know that. They will let you know if that’s the right next step for you and take appropriate action or will recommend an alternative. 

5. Summarise your appointment before you leave. This is especially important if your treatment plan seems complicated or involves multiple steps. Make sure you tell your GP what you understand is happening next to confirm that you heard them correctly and are clear about what to expect or do. 

6. Consider taking a friend or trusted family member so you have another person there to ask questions and listen. 

 

What if I Need Longer than 15 Minutes? 

 

If you want to spend more time with your GP and/or have several things you want to discuss with them, you can book a 30-minute appointment to ensure they have enough time allocated to address your needs. Double appointments need to be booked with our receptionists. They can't be booked online through ManageMyhealth. Please be aware that all appointments that take longer than 15 minutes will be charged a double fee.  

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our receptionists. Our whole team is committed to continuing to provide you with quality personalised health care.