It has been a tough time for the team at the Martinborough Health Centre and it is likely to get worse before it gets better.
With the numbers of cases of Covid increasing daily in the community a number of changes have had to be made at the medical centre to keep the doctors and nurses well and to protect vulnerable people who could become quite ill.
As Pam Shackleton, practice manager says, “Many of us may get Omicron, but not be aware we have it as there are no symptoms. However, we can still infect others”.
As a result, an intercom system to control the entry to the medical centre and pharmacy has been installed.
There are two intercoms either side of the entrance – each with a camera
Press the button on the RHS for the medical centre
Press the button on the LHS for the Pharmacy
The reception staff will answer as soon as they can
You will be asked a number of questions before going in
Wear a surgical mask and bring your vaccine passport
Arrive on time!!
Before anyone gets a face to face appointment, they are asked a number of screening questions. If they have infectious symptoms they will be seen in the special sanitised Health Cabin. Those waiting to be seen in the Health Cabin need to park in the staff car park and wait in the car until a clinician meets you.
For those going into the waiting room there is limited seating as two metre spacing needs to be observed.
Because of the number of people ringing the medical centre, and the time it takes for making an appointment, triaging and telephone consulting, it is sometimes hard to get through on the phone. Patience is required for most of us when dealing with helpers and reception staff. There is no need to get grumpy. People can email administrator@mmc.net,nz or use ‘My Indici Health App’.
Pam says, “We don’t like to practice the way we are at present. We would love to throw our doors open and welcome all patients into the health centre and pharmacy as we used to”.
Further information for Covid-19 positive patients is available on https://healthnavigator.org.nz
