Sometimes you, your whānau or our doctors and nurses may be worried that your blood pressure is a bit high. Your blood pressure can vary throughout the day and night. We are able to fit a small cuff on your arm and you carry a small device in a bag to measure your blood pressure at different times throughout the day and night. This can help guide us in the best course of treatment for you.

Some people develop 'thinning' of the bones, called osteoporosis. A treatment that can help with this is a medicine called aclasta, which is delivered by infusion into one of your veins (through a needle) to help rebuild the structure of your bones. This treatment takes 15-30 minutes and is done every 18-24 months.

If your doctor has tested you and found that your vitamin B12 levels are low, they may recommend treatment with B12 injections. These may not be required for everyone with a low B12 level, so it is important that this is discussed with your doctor or nurse before booking for your first injection.

The B4 School Check is a FREE health and development check for your 4-year-old. This assessment aims to identify any health, behaviour, social or developmental concerns which could affect your child’s success at school. Please contact reception to book an appointment with a nurse.

If you are planning to do a recreational diving course or experience they may ask you to get a diving medical done. This is a basic check on your health, particularly your lung and ear health. If you have had problems with these in the past we may need to refer you to a specialist.

If you need to complete a medical form in order to be able to continue driving, e.g. regular HGV check, or Waka Kotahi have asked you to do it due to your age, then we're able to have a chat, examination and assess whether you meet the fitness criteria to continue driving. Occasionally we may refer you for further investigations to help make this determination.

If your hearing is reduced due to wax blocking the ear canal, or you have an infection in your outer ear that is make lots of fluid or pus, then this can be treated with a small device that sucks the wax or fluid out. 

An electrocardiograph (ECG) is a simple, painless test that takes about 5-10 minutes. It measures the electrical activity in your heart and can help with the diagnosis of certain conditions.

If you are planning to get pregnant, or struggling to get pregnant, we can discuss all issues with you and plan what the next steps will be.

Family planning services are limited at Waihi Beach Medical Centre. 

During a consultation you can discuss any general medical or injury related problem you may be experiencing. 

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Screening

From 12 September 2023, HPV screening will be introduced as the primary test as part of the NZ National Cervical Screening Programme

most people can choose how their test is done. The options are:

1. A self-test swab sample taken from the vagina (not the cervix) which is tested for HPV
2. A clinician-taken vaginal swab sample which is tested for HPV, or 
3. A clinician-taken cell sample from the cervix, previously referred to as a smear test, which is tested for HPV. This option also allows for a cytology test to be done if HPV is detected without needing to return for a further test.

Self-testing is not appropriate for everyone (for example, people who have symptoms or require a co-test for follow up after treatment). A self-taken vaginal swab is just as good as a clinician-taken sample for detecting HPV. 

Link to more information: https://www.timetoscreen.nz/cervical-screening/

Immunisations are usually injections given to help protect people against harmful infections, which may cause serious complications. It uses the body's natural defense system (the immune system) to build up resistance to specific infections. Common side effects are mild redness and pain at the site of the injection, which may be associated with a mildly high temperature. More serious reactions are very rare.

If the iron levels in your blood are low your clinician may recommend a course of iron tablets. If iron tablets have given you side effects or we need to quickly increase your iron levels, then you may require an infusion of the iron medication (ferinject) into one of your veins (through a needle), over about 15-30 minutes.

An IUD (also known as a coil or intrauterine device) is a small device that is inserted into a woman's womb to try and prevent future pregnancies for up to 10 years. The procedure involves an internal vaginal examination, and some women find insertion of the IUD a little uncomfortable. This usually takes just a few minutes. You may be eligible for funding so that the insertion is free or has a small co-payment. It is important that you discuss this with your doctor or nurse before booking an appointment, as it is sometimes important what time in your menstrual cycle the IUD is inserted.

Note: Phoenix Urgent Doctors and Waihi Beach Medical Centre perform IUD removal only. 

An IUS (also known as a Mirena or intrauterine system) is a small device that is inserted into a woman's womb to try and prevent pregnancies for up to five years. It releases a small amount of hormone every day, and is also a treatment for heavy periods (it can make periods much lighter and in some women may stop their periods all together). The procedure involves an internal vaginal examination, and some women find insertion of the IUS a little uncomfortable. This usually takes just a few minutes. You may be eligible for funding so that the insertion is free or has a small co-payment. The Mirena device will need to be put on a prescription in advance and brought to the practice (so there will be a charge for the prescription with the pharmacy). It is important that you discuss this with your doctor or nurse before booking an appointment, as it is sometimes important what time in your menstrual cycle the IUS is inserted.

Note: Phoenix Urgent Doctors perform removal only. 

Jadelle is a long-term contraceptive that can prevent you from getting pregnant. Two small implants (rods) are inserted into your inner upper arm by a small procedure. We also remove Jadelle implants. If you require new rods to be inserted (as they have been present for five years but you would like them re-inserted for ongoing contraception), we are able to do that at the same time.

Some people may be eligible for Jadelle to be inserted or removed for free.

Sometimes you may have pain in a particular joint and your GP will recommend a small steroid injection into your joint to help reduce inflammation and pain. This is not suitable for everyone so please discuss with your GP or nurse practitioner.

Liquid nitrogen (also known as cryotherapy or freezing treatment) is a very cold liquid that is either sprayed or applied directly to a skin lesion. It freezes the skin lesion and then thaws - this helps destroy it. It can be used to treat many small skin lesions, such as warts, skin tags and some early skin cancer lesions. Some people find it a little uncomfortable, but no anaesthetic is required. Treatment takes 1-2 minutes, and is usually applied over 2-3 cycles. You may notice some crusting or, rarely, blistering after the treatment.

During a men's health check we discuss things related specifically to men's health, such as prostate screening and sexual health, as well as things covered in a general check up.

If you have mole you are worried about, or a skin lesion that is changing or not getting better, it is important to get it checked by a doctor or a specially trained nurse. They may recommend that it be removed. Removal involves a small injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area and then a small procedure is performed to remove the mole or lesion. Some of our medical centres are able to offer more complex skin surgery - please discuss this with one of our doctors. Payment is usually required for minor surgery procedures, and varies depending on the procedure. This can also be discussed with one of our doctors.

If you have a skin lesion or rash your doctor is unsure about, they may recommend a sample of it be removed using a punch biopsy. It involves a small injection of local anaesthetic (this means you won't feel any pain throughout the procedure). A small round circle of the tissue (usually 3-4mm across) is removed using a special instrument, then sent to the laboratory to find out the cause of the skin lesion or rash.

If you are well but would like a general check on your health then it is good to come and discuss this with a GP. Areas that are often covered include risks of heart attack or stroke in the future, general lifestyle advice, general mental health, family history of specific medical conditions, and preventative screening such as prostate testing, cervical smears and mammograms.

You can book a sexual health check to discuss any concerns regarding sexual health, symptoms or possible exposure to symptoms. We are here for full, frank, open and confidential discussions and testing.

If you are worried about any lumps, bumps, moles or skin lesions come and get it checked with one of our doctors or specially trained nurses.

If you smoke, or vape with nicotine, and feel that the time is right for you to try and quit we are here to help you. There are many different options available to help you stop smoking. Please feel free to book an appointment with a doctor or one of our trained nurses to give you help and advice.

If you require a referral to a specialist, or would like to request one, we will talk through your health concerns and the referral options available to you.

We can provide general advice about which travel immunisations you may need for a trip abroad. Please book an appointment separately from any other health advice, as we need to dedicate time to discuss where you are going and what may be required. It is also important to book your appointment several months in advance of your trip, to ensure there is enough time to give you all required immunisations. If you have a complex travel plan it may be better for you to book with a specific travel clinic for more details and advice.

Note: Yellow fever vaccination is not offered at Waihi Beach Medical Centre.

Vasectomy (sometimes called male sterilisation) is a permanent form of contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is a small surgical procedure that takes around 40 minutes and is done under local anaesthetic, so you are awake throughout the procedure but do not feel the pain. Vasectomy is very reliable and in most cases will prevent future pregnancies. You will be required to do two sperm tests a few months after the procedure to ensure that it was successful, before using this method for contraception.

During a women's health check we discuss things related specifically to women's health, such as period problems, sexual health, contraception, cervical smears and mammograms.