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.

New Zealand's cervical screening programme is for all women aged 25-69 years, and aims to prevent cervical cancer. Having a cervical smear involves a small plastic speculum being inserted into your vagina, and a small sample of the cells of your cervix (which sits at the top of your vagina) removed with a small brush. Most women find this a painless procedure. The test looks for cells that might later develop into cancer cells. You are very welcome to bring a support person with you.

Videos about the cervical screening programme are available on the Health Navigator website. 

If you require testing to see if you have COVID-19, we are able to take a swab from inside the top of your nose (nasopharyngeal swab) or, rarely, a combined nose and throat swab. This then gets sent to the laboratory to be tested and we receive the results within a few days.

There is no fee for standard COVID-19 testing, but there is a fee for pre-departure testing for international travel.

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 you are having a problem with reduced hearing due to ear wax, we will recommend you have the wax removed by micro-suction, after softening with specific drops first. Rarely people aren't able to access this and so you may be offered ear syringing - this is when some lukewarm water is 'squirted' into your ear canal to try and remove the wax (after it has been softened with drops for a few days). However, this method can be associated with infection or perforation of the ear drum (making a hole in the ear drum) so is not often used now.

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.

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

A health improvement practitioner (HIP) is a registered mental health and addiction practitioner. They work with patients to achieve goals around their general health, as well as mental health, by providing support and follow up relating to mental health conditions.

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.

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 are pregnant and are unsure of the next steps please make appointment with your GP. We are able to offer free maternity care up until you are 13 weeks pregnant.

• We can help explain things that are good, or not so good, for you during pregnancy and help guide you through what to expect when you're expecting.
• We can answer your questions and support you if your early pregnancy doesn't go as planned.
• If you didn't plan on getting pregnant we can talk through your options and support you with any decision you make.
• If you are planning to get pregnant or facing challenges with getting pregnant, then we can offer help, advice and support through that journey. 

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.

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.