Welcome
Oak House is excited to begin 2024 with a new-look website.
We’re excited to welcome Dr Charles Steiner here for the next few months. He hails from Alaska and has spent a number of Alaskan winters camped out here in New Zealand, working as a locum GP. He is an experienced family GP and know our registered patients will benefit from his expertise.
Also new to the practice is Vic Ralph. Vic is England born but based in Oamaru. She fills the role of Extended Care Paramedic which has been developed to provide clinical assessment and care interventions for people and whanau at greatest risk of poor health outcomes. She is a welcome addition to the clinical team.
Alongside our HIP coach, Lynley, who commenced in April 2023, is Suliana Tuiaki. She is our current Health Coach and is eager to address your diabetes, weight loss or diet concerns. The advice she gives comes at no cost to the patient and appointments with her can be made at the practice one day a week.
Oak House Medical Centre is a fully independent General Practice surrounded by its own gardens and provides a friendly and easily accessible service. Nestled under the grand old oak trees at the end of Queen Street it is easy to see where the name comes from.
The emphasis is on a stress-free visit, and with plenty of parking and with a large staff for the practice population we aim to provide timely, high quality care. Established in 1992 it was taken on by the current owners Barney and Marion Clayton in 2008 when the founding doctor moved away to Christchurch.
Newly renovated, the practice now contains six consultation rooms, an emergency/surgical suite and extended waiting areas.
Practice Background
Appointments
A standard appointment time is 15 minutes. However, some services require more time. These include but are not limited to Cervical Screening, Driving Licence Medicals, ECGs, Immunisations, Travel Consults, and Minor Surgery/Procedures.
Please let staff know at the time of booking so the appropriate time can be allocated and you can be given an idea of the extra cost that may apply.
Emergencies will be seen as they arise. These take priority over booked appointments and we appreciate your patience when this happens.
Missed appointments may incur a fee.
Fees for Service
Payment is expected on the day of consultation.
A detailed price list of current fees can be found at reception.
We are pleased to be offering the new rates for current Community Card Service holder from 1st December 2018. This includes not only general medical visits but also ACC consults.
Unpaid accounts will be sent to Aorangi Debt Collection and collection fees may be incurred.
Test Results
You can expect feedback on all test results ordered by your clinician. Some results will take longer than others to be returned from testing.
We will contact you either by phone, letter or SMS (txt message). If you prefer your results via SMS please check your cell phone number is entered and correct.
Test results can only be given out after they have been viewed by a GP – preferably the one who ordered them.
If you have not heard back and think you should have, phone the surgery to enquire.
In an EMERGENCY, phone 111
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In an EMERGENCY, phone 111 ⋆
After Hours Service
Oak House Medical Centre provides its registered patients with overnight GP cover Monday – Thursday inclusive. The weekend cover is shared with Waimate Medical Centre.
Full cover (5:30pm Friday – 8:30am Monday) continues for our registered population on the weekends we are on call. Every other weekend the cover is 8am – 8pm. If you call outside of those hours you will be referred to Timaru Public Hospital.
To access the after-hours service call 03 689 7676. You will get an automated message indicating you’ve reached the after-hours service. This is run by Homecare Medical in Auckland who employ registered nurses to triage your needs and advise you on further care.
In a medical emergency dial 111.