From 29 September 2025 we are introducing a prescription fee for the under 14s. Due to chronic underfunding for the under 14s we can no longer provide free prescriptions. Routine is $5 or urgent is $15
Blog
-
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES FOR ENROLLED PATIENTS WITH MINOR ACUTE ILLNESSES/COLDS/FLU CAN BE ISSUED VIA NURSE CONSULTATION OVER THE PHONE
If a minor illness (ie: gastro) cold or flu is keeping you off work or school you might need a medical certificate / sick note. Our nurses can issue medical certificates for up to 5 days following a phone consultation. This can be booked by calling the clinic and advising the reception staff who will book you in for a call back. The nurse cannot prescribe medications but if doctor assessment is needed they can organise an appointment depending on doctor availability that day.
The cost for an online medical certificate is cheaper than attending the clinic and the fees are:
$25 – no Community Service Card
$15 – with Community Service Card
$15 for ages 14-17 years
No fee for 13 years and under
These medical certificates are NOT suitable for: Medications, referrals, extensions of existing medical certifcates or medical certificates for WINZ or ACC.
-
Use of AI in consultations
Papanui Medical Centre allows team members to use AI to assist with clinical note taking, as well as administrative tasks (e.g. report writing). Everyone who uses AI must meet the terms and conditions of the tool.
We do not allow clinicians to use generative AI for clinical decision making.
Before introducing generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, we assess and mitigate the risks to ensure privacy and safety are protected. We comply with New Zealand legislation governing the use of AI, in particular the Privacy Act 2020 and its Information Privacy Principles (IPPs).
We recognise that this is rapidly-evolving technology, and reassess our processes as needed.
-
Self Check in system – QR codes are being e-mailed with appointment reminders
If you have provided us with your e-mail you will also receive an appointment reminder from the system with a QR code which you can scan upon arrival. This does not mean that you cannot come to reception to have a human interaction!!! What is does mean is that it gives patients another check in option when arriving and the reception is busy or if this just suits them better.
-
Appointment times – one problem per appointment.
Standard appointments are only 15 minutes long. It is usually only possible to deal with one problem in that time and it may be that the doctor will ask you to re-book. If you think you will need longer, please book a longer appointment which may incur an extra fee. It is very helpful if you can tell us whether your appointment is for a particular need such as ACC, insurance medicals, contraception, etc so they can be fitted in appropriately. For long term medical problems and non- urgent appointments you may need to book several weeks ahead.
-
Same Day appointments
Please note that not all available appointments are shown on portal. If you require a same day please call the practice to enquire.