The Doctors Silverstream

20/09/2025

🚨 ACUTE APPOINTMENT NOTICE -- w/c Monday 22/09/25 🚨

Unfortunately, due to GP illness + an ongoing shortage of clinical staff we are going to be operating with an extremely reduced capacity for acute/on-the-day appointments for the whole week, from Monday 22nd September to Friday 26th September.

We can only apologise for the inconvenience and difficulty this may cause, but unfortunately the circumstances are currently beyond our control, and we are doing the best we can with the resources currently available to us.

If you are in need of urgent/same-day care and we are unable to see you, please consider one of the following options available both in the local area and online:

• Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre is open for walk-in care from 17:30 – 22:00 on weekdays and 08:00 – 22:00 on weekends and public holidays.
• Wellington Accident + Urgent Medical Centre is a walk-in clinic on 17 Adelaide Road. Open every day 08:00 - 21:00.
• Practice Plus provides online GP appointments 09:00 – 22:00 Monday to Friday, then Weekends and Public Holidays 08:00 – 20:00.
• The Doctors Online also provides online GP appointments and operates Monday to Friday 09:00 – 14:00.
• Healthline is available 24/7, 7 days-a-week for free health advice on 0800 611 116 (Māori clinicians available from 08:00 - 20:00). More info can be found: https://info.health.nz/services-support/online-phone-healthcare/healthline

In the event of a medical emergency please call 111.

14/09/2025

It’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori!

Māori Language Week is a time to celebrate te Reo, the heart of our culture and identity. Whether you’re just starting out or building confidence speaking, every kupu counts.

Explore the collection of Te reo and Te ao Māori apps in the NZ Health App Library.

All apps are reviewed by medical professionals, so you can be confident they’re safe and trustworthy: https://healthify.nz/apps/t/te-reo-and-te-ao-maori-apps

14/09/2025

Just a quick update to advise that we will also be closing the practice early @ 17:00 today, Monday 15th September, due to ongoing staff shortages. Our phone lines will be open until 17:30 this evening.

However, this will not affect any booked appointments.

Kind regards, The Doctors Silverstream

🚨📣 SERVICE UPDATE: Please be aware that due to staff shortages we will be closing the practice at 17:00 this Thursday 11th + Thursday 18th September 2025.

This change will not affect any booked appointments on either date. As we are so short on staff today, please be aware that there will unfortunately be significant delays on getting through to us on the phone lines.

We can only apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards, The Doctors Silverstream

11/09/2025

🏡 Moving soon? You may not need to change healthcare providers!
With over 65 medical centres nationwide, we can help you transfer to one of our other practices. Speak to our team before you go to find out more.

View our full list of medical centres here: https://thedoctors.co.nz/

10/09/2025

🚨📣 SERVICE UPDATE: Please be aware that due to staff shortages we will be closing the practice at 17:00 this Thursday 11th + Thursday 18th September 2025.

This change will not affect any booked appointments on either date. As we are so short on staff today, please be aware that there will unfortunately be significant delays on getting through to us on the phone lines.

We can only apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards, The Doctors Silverstream

09/09/2025

💊 SCRIPT PROCESS CHANGE 💊

Dear patients, as of tomorrow (Wednesday 10th September 2025) we are simplifying the way scripts for repeat medications are ordered and processed in the practice.

PRE-PAYMENT MUST STILL BE MADE FOR ALL SCRIPTS PRIOR TO PROCESSING

📲 We encourage all patients to download The Doctors App, as this remains the quickest and easiest way to reorder your repeat scripts. Payment will be taken at the moment of ordering, and the request is sent straight to the GP's inbox for processing. The app is available on both the App Store (iOS), and the Google Play Store (Android).

📞 You will now be able to call + order your repeat with our reception team and will then be asked to make payment over the phone (if required).

📧 Alternatively, you can email in your request, then either an SMS or email will be sent to you with a link to make payment (if required).

• These changes are in order to streamline the process of approving scripts, making things quicker and easier for our GPs with the high volume of requests.

Processing time for all scripts is up to 72-hours from the time of payment. If you are a Southern Cross member, please let us know at the moment of ordering, as some policies may leave a percentage of a claim to be paid.

For a reminder of our current script prices, please see our website: https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/the-doctors-silverstream

09/09/2025

👶 Could your child have allergies?

Allergic reactions can start early and may look different in pēpi (babies) and tamariki (children) than in adults.

Keep an eye out for signs like:
🔹 Ongoing eczema or rashes
🔹 Frequent sneezing or coughing
🔹 Wheezing or shortness of breath
🔹 Tummy troubles after certain foods
🔹 Unusual fussiness after feeding

Mild symptoms can often be managed at home, but it’s a good idea to chat with your GP, NP or nurse if you suspect an allergy. Early diagnosis can make a big difference.

📝 Tip: A food and symptom diary can be super helpful for your appointment.

05/09/2025

🚨 MISSED APPOINTMENTS / LATE CANCELLATIONS 🚨

We know it's no surprise to say it can be challenging to book a GP appointment short notice--this is why it's critically important that we are able to use all of our available clinic space to see those who are in need of acute healthcare. Late cancellations and non-attendance of appointments is a huge issue, and prevents us from providing the best service possible.

If even one or two slots go empty per day across our clinics, this wastes our doctor's time, and most importantly it keeps others who may desperately need healthcare from getting an appointment when they need it.

We understand that life can be unpredictable and sometimes appointments need to be cancelled, but we kindly ask that if you do need to cancel let us know a MINIMUM of 2 hours prior. Notification can be given in-person, by phone, by email, or even by SMS. If an appointment is cancelled any less than 2 hours prior, it will be considered a DNA (did not attend), which incurs a fee.

We understand that being charged a fee can be frustrating when a genuine mistake is made, such as forgetting your appointment or realising you've double booked yourself. However, please understand why these rules are put in place. As a practice, we are already significantly more generous both on timescale and DNA charges than the Payment Terms & Conditions for The Doctors practices (which can the reviewed in the link below).

https://thedoctors.co.nz/about-us/policies/standard-payment-terms-condition

04/09/2025

🤧 Hay fever season is here - are you ready?

Hay fever affects 1 in 5 Kiwis and can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, blocked noses, fatigue, and even worsen asthma symptoms. It’s triggered by things like pollen, dust, and pet dander — and it tends to flare up in spring and summer.

🌸 Now’s the time to get prepared:
✅ Start antihistamines or nasal sprays early
✅ Check pollen forecasts and stay indoors on high-pollen days
✅ Keep pets out of bedrooms
✅ Ventilate, clean mould, and wash bedding regularly

While there’s no cure, symptoms can be managed. For help, visit allergy.org.nz or book a nurse, GP or NP appointment with us.

01/09/2025

📣 SERVICE UPDATE: Tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd September, is the date of our Annual Staff Meeting, and as such our doors will be closed between the hours of 13:30-17:00.

Our phone lines WILL remain open for our normal Tuesday business hours for any enquiries, but otherwise we ask that you don't visit the practice in person between 13:30-17:00.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but we will be back open as normal from Wednesday 3rd September.

Kind regards, The Doctors Silverstream.

31/08/2025

✨ New Sexual Health Clinic at The Doctors Silverstream ✨

We’re now running a dedicated Sexual Health Clinic for enrolled patients at either of our practices.
📅 Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays
📍 The Doctors Silverstream

Services available:
✔ Contraception consultations
✔ IUD consultations, insertions & removals
✔ Jadelle consultations & implants (*removals with Dr Castillo)
✔ STI screenings (booked or walk-ins welcome)
✔ Cervical screening
✔ Support for other concerns such as thrush, BV & STI symptoms

💡 Some enrolled patients may be eligible for funding towards minor gynaecological procedures and contraception — your nurse will let you know at your appointment.

📞 To book, call 04 527 7376 or ask at Reception.

20/08/2025

📝🛡 INSURANCE + CLAIMING UPDATE: We wanted to post a friendly reminder that Southern Cross claiming is carried out by staff as an additional voluntary courtesy. As our systems are not in communication with Southern Cross, or any other private insurer, taking the time to submit patient claims is not obligatory, and can often be quite a time-consuming process for our already busy reception staff.

If you are a member and receive an automated SMS requesting payment, please kindly send a quick reminder that this can be claimed for or mention your cover at reception when checking in for your appointment on the day!

Kind Regards, The Doctors Silverstream.