Enrolment
The benefits of enrolment with a general practice
Our practice is part of the Primary Health Network for Auckland (The Network) which is a Primary Health Organisation (PHO).This is the current Government System of funding Primary health Care. The government policy is that additional funding will be directed through a single designated GP of your choice.
Enrolment with a practice means you plan to get most of your ongoing primary health care through our practice team and together we plan to meet your health needs
HOW DOES BEING ENROLED WITH MY FAMILY DOCTOR BENEFIT ME?
People who develop healthy partnerships with their practice teams generally enjoy better health care and have better health. By having up to date information the practice will be better able to focus on helping you stay in good health by co-ordinating healthcare services to you and your family. As you get to know the team here at the practice, you may feel more comfortable about asking questions and saying what your needs are. Developing a long-term relationship with your family doctor and practice team and other health professionals will enable active early disease intervention rather than risking long term complications.
I HAVE MY OWN GP. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Most People have a doctor they identify closely with. You may think of that doctor as “your” doctor. Enrolment is simple and if you are already an existing patient at this practice, you will need to do very little to confirm that long-term relationship .
Our practice will be able to answer your questions and give you any further information you require.
I DON’T CURRENTLY HAVE A GP. WHAT NOW ?
You are welcome to enrol with Ponsonby Medical Centre; enrolment with a general practice means your are entitled to funding from the government to support your healthcare which means the consultation fees are less than if you were a casual patient. As an enrolled patient you are also entitled to receive discounted medications via prescription on some medicines.
If you do not expect to receive most of your health care services from us, you may wish to remain as a casual patient.
CAN I CHANGE PRACTICES AND ENROL WITH ANOTHER DOCTOR?
Yes, you are free to change practices. You fill out a form similar to our enrolment form at the new practice and, with your consent, your medical records will be transferred. Your name will be removed from our enrolment register and placed on your new GP’s register.
CAN I VISIT ANOTHER DOCTOR FOR PERSONAL REASONS OR SEEK A SECOND OPINION BUT STILL REMAIN YOUR PATIENT?
Yes. You will see the other health provider as a casual patient and you do not have to sign another enrolment form to be able to be seen .
Please note that if you do sign another enrolment form you will be removed from our practice’s enrolment register. For this reason it is important that you do not sign another enrolment form unless you expect in future to receive most of your health services from the other practice.
CAN I GO TO ANOTHER CENTRE OR CLINIC AFTER HOURS?
Yes. Your enrolment with our practice covers you for your care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you normally benefit from subsidies from the government, it may be possible the subsidy you receive when visiting another provider will not be the same. We recommend you call our practice first whenever you need medical help because of the value we place on the continuity of care.
WILL I STILL HAVE MY COMMUNITY SERVICES CARD OR HIGH USE CARD?
Yes. These cards may be an important indicator to assist you to access government funding for your health care and lower payments when you visit the doctor. The cards will also reduce the costs of any prescriptions.
WHY AM I ASKED WHICH ETHNIC GROUP I IDENTIFY WITH ?
The healthcare we provide includes advice about healthy lifestyles, illness and disease prevention. The health needs of various ethnic groups may be different so it is important we can identify these groups in our practice so we can best target our health care. You are entitled not to answer this question, just tick ‘not stated”
WHAT DOES AN AUDIT MEAN?
From time to time checks are made on the accuracy of information. An audit is making sure that the details of the enrolment register are correct. For instance people who have left to go to a new practice may not have been removed from the old practice register. The process to check this data is termed an audit and is undertaken by appropriate health professionals.
WHY IS THE PRIMARY HEALTH SYSTEM CHANGING TO A NEW APPROACH?
The new approach is designed (by The Government) for you and your general practice team to be a member of a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) who together in partnership will be responsible for the planning and co-ordination of health care services for you and your community.
INFORMATION PRIVACY STATEMENT
From time to time, in the course of treatment, we may need to provide your details and medical history to other health providers, such as specialists and hospitals. We will ensure that your health information is only seen by people who are involved in your care. We will always ask for your consent before transferring any medical information about you to someone who is not involved in your care.
We provide the Network and Ministry of Health with a list of our enrolled patients so that we can obtain subsidies on your behalf (to reduce the cost of your care here). This information includes your name, address, date of birth, ethnicity, and the dates when you see the doctor or nurse. No identifiable information is provided without your consent.
In all cases, your privacy is protected by the medical ethics of confidentiality, the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993, and the health Information Privacy Code 1994. We are aware of these privacy requirements and work within policies and procedures developed by the Network to uphold them at all times. We value the confidentiality of your health information.