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Media Greytown medical centre confident of survival (Source: Times Age newspaper) If medical centres could sing, the one in Greytown would be belting out I Will Survive. The Greytown Medical Centre's practice manager, Janine Sim, said while there is definitely a doctor shortage in South Wairarapa and the centre would not say no to another doctor, she and the rest of the staff are confident the centre is not at risk of closure. "We are still taking on new patients and we will continue offering an excellent service with our existing staff, but of course in an ideal world we would love another part time doctor and will continue to advertise to see if we can draw someone into our community" She said Dr Lynette Cherry is coming in to work for three weeks over Christmas to cover Dr Nathan while he is on holiday and will start again on a part time basis in February. "We are also fortunate to have two very competent nurses that are seeing patients for various things including the PHO initiatives, like free diabetic checks, Careplus programmes and cardio vascular risk assessments." Medical centre earns 'warrent of fitness' (Source: Times Age newspaper) The unwell or Greytown can rest assurred that when they finally admit to being ill and head to the doctor, they will be in safe hands. The Greytown Medical Centre has proved itself to be a fully roadworthy surgery, having being awarded the equivalent of a "warrent of fitness" certificate. The centre has gone through the process of becoming a Cornerstone accredited general practice. Cornerstone is a voluntary programme set up by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practioners, and sees practices assess their systems and standards against nearly 250 national criteria developed by the college. When they have done this, an independent team comes in and spends a day assessing their systems. The idea of the progamme is to improve the quality of general practices in New Zealand and to achieve the accreditation takes months of self-assessment - of processes used by individuals and practice teams, delivery of practice services and their outcomes - to find areas that need ironing out. Practice manager at the Greytown Medical Centre Janine Sim said achieving the Cornerstone has taken months of team effort. "I couldn't be more proud of the team here. Hannah (Geange, practice nurse), Sue (O'Kane, receptionist) and Leanne (Allen-Jones, receptionist) have worked hard over the past 12 months to achieve this goal. "We have tested ourselves against the highest standards in New Zealand, and are one in only 75 practices out of a possible 900-plus in New Zealand, to achieve this. "It's like a huge warrant of fitness, and it's taken months and months to do. It's huge. She said the process is a practice-wide one, rather than focused solely on the doctors. "It's not about the doctors so much, but more about the policies and procedures of the practice.". The RNZCGP said system problems within practices are the target of the programme, and also making sure health and safety protocols are known and understood by the whole practice - reception, practice nurses, GP's and practice managers. Ms Sim said the practice wanted to go through the process so they could be sure they were offering people the very best. "We wanted to do the accreditation programme to ensure that our patients are getting the best possible care. "We did this for them. The deserve the best and our team has proved that our care is definitely that." She said the practice's doctors, Iynkaran Pathmanathan and Simon Snook, are proud to be working in an organisation proven to be operating to the highest standards. Centre upgraded (Source: Times Age newspaper) Greytown Medical Centre celebrated it' recent upgrade with a dawn Powhiri to bless the centre at the weekend About 50 bleary-eyed people turned out for the drizzly morning ceremony led by Wairarapa Primary Health Organisation chairman Paora Ammunson, Bella Biggs and several kuia from Papawai Marae. All those gathered also witnessed the unveiling of two carvings, commisioned by the centre's princpal doctor, Dr Nathan, symbolising the sense of well being and togetherness that makes a community strong. Mr Ammunson congratulated the medical centre's staff on pulling the project together. "I have to say it is wonderful to see medical services being enhanced within our communities and I congratulate Dr Nathan and his team for their achievements" The centre can now offer patients physiotherapy five days a week, services from Masterton hospital lab, a podiatrist, midwife and visiting dermatologist as well as space for another doctor. Dr Nathan concluded the mornings events by thanking all the people involved in the project and made special mention of his colleagues and staff for their commitment to the centre. "It is wonderful to have so many people from our local community here this morning to celebrate this occasion. Greytown and the South Wairarapa now has a very comprehensive range of services available to meet their local needs" he said.  |
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186 East Street Greytown Tel: 06 304 9012 Fax: 06 304 8134 |
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