Jo Blakey

We have times when everything seems the same for years, and times when changes come thick and fast. We are surely dealing with the latter scenario at MMC. Dr Teresa Donnelly has left to take up a position in Birkenhead - and we wish her all the best for a successful career there as a partner. She will definitely be missed. However, we are delighted to announce that Dr Jo Blakey is starting work at MMC from 29th March, working all day Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Jo grew up in Christchurch, and she is still a Crusaders supporter! After completing her GP training in Wellington, she lived in California for 2 years where she completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Medicine through Auckland University - being the first person to study this diploma from overseas. She also holds postgraduate diplomas in Obstetrics and Child Health. She has a passion for medical education and works part-time for the College of GPs facilitating senior GP registrars attain their final qualification (Fellowship).

She has 3 young children, 2 of whom attend Mairangi Bay Primary. She has taken up running since having kids and did her first three half marathons last year and she is now training to complete her first marathon this year in June - she can often be seen pounding the pavements of the local roads and beaches. Her family all love the outdoors and travelling (as can be seen in the photo from Florence).

A few words from our new GP registrar Dr Ajay Makal

"Hi everyone ! I have been looking forward to work as a GP Registrar for a while now. I graduated from Bangalore, India in 1996. I also did my post graduation ( in clinical pathology ) in India before moving on to the UK in 2002. I worked in various places in the UK including Wigan , Birmingham and London before deciding to come over to the "land of the long white cloud" in" 2007. Since then I have worked in various specialties in the Hospital including Orthopaedics/Medicine/Surgery/Obstetrics/Starship ED/ Psychiatry. I do have a special interest in diabetes.

I have lived on the Shore since my arrival in NZ. I am glad to be able to work in the same area. I love travelling and I have been involved in some mission work lately in India which has been a great experience outside of my work.I hope to contribute positively toward the health of the people in this community and also in the process learn a lot of things in general practice."

Influenza vaccination

It's time to get your annual influenza vaccination. Flu experts predict that we may be in for an early wave of the 'swine' flu in 2010. This year's vaccine includes protection against the H1N1 swine flu, as well as two other strains. Worldwide experience of the swine flu pandemic last year showed that some groups were especially likely to get seriously ill (for example pregnant women and obese people). For that reason the Ministry of Health is paying for these people to have a free vaccine in 2010. Anyone aged over 65, or those people under 65 with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma), kidney disease and most cancers are also entitled to have a free flu vaccine. Anyone can get influenza – it's always very unpleasant and sometimes serious.

Influenza vaccination is appropriate for anyone aged over 6 months. Children at greater risk from influenza may also be eligible for a free vaccination - discuss with the nurse or doctor.

Note that the vaccine we are using has no mercury content, and there are no live virus particles in the vaccine. You can't get flu from the vaccine. Side effects are minor. If you are not entitled to the free vaccine, the cost is only $25.

We are very grateful to our patients who took part in the recent survey of immunity to the swine flu virus. If you did give a blood test and haven't heard the result, please contact Alex at the surgery.

Charges for prescriptions

Sometimes it is appropriate to request a repeat prescription by phone, fax, email, or text. Remember to provide full details about the medication you need, and provide your contact details so our nurses can clarify details with you if needed. Often you will need to come in for an appointment, since safe medical practice requires any long term condition treated with medication to be regularly reviewed. A repeat prescription requires the nurse and doctor to review your notes to check the details, and ensure that the prescription is correct, and safe.

Rushed prescribing leads to errors, which can be serious. For this reason we have introduced a $5 extra charge for "same day" prescriptions, in recognition of the need to avoid short-cuts to safe prescribing. Most people will be aware that the extra charge also applies to prescriptions which are faxed to pharmacists - in recognition of the extra cost associated with faxing, and then posting the original copy of the prescription (a medico-legal requirement), and the invoicing costs. Normal charges for prescriptions will apply for prescriptions ordered at least one day before, and collected from the surgery.

Nursing News

In keeping with our theme of introductions, we would like you to meet Shirley Peters, our new nurse. Shirley trained as a registered nurse in 2004, and she has been working since then in jobs around the North Shore. Welcome Shirley!

Recently some of our staff (and one of our patients - thanks Boyd!) attended a workshop as part of a project to improve diabetes care. As a result of that we are asking our nurses to make sure all our patients with diabetes are encouraged to come in for an annual free diabetes check. We think this is a great opportunity to sit down with one of our nurses to take stock of where things are up to with your condition, check that all the important things have been done to keep you well, and plan your care for the next year.