Mercury Bay Medical Centre was established in 1977 when two existing rural practices combined. In 1990 the practice moved into its current location of a refurbished turn of the century kauri cottage that has been extended in keeping with its style.
The practice operates with two FTE General Practitioners. They are supported by an efficient, friendly and experienced nursing and administrative team. In addition a physiotherapist, osteopath and diabetic educator operate from the premises, as does a visiting orthopaedic surgeon and an ophthalmologist. There are two pharmacies located close by. On-call is 1:4. Emergency service is provided by local ambulance or, if required, helicopter. The helicopter crew is highly trained paramedics.
The practice provides services to a local Community Hospital and Rest Home. This hospital has a number of GP beds, but there are no investigative facilities. Patients requiring referral to hospital are usually sent to Thames Hospital, 1.5 hours away from the practice, which offers surgical, medical, paediatric, obstetric, gynaecology services and palliative care. All other services are provided from Waikato Hospital, approximately two-and-a-half hours drive away, in Hamilton. This tertiary teaching hospital is one of New Zealand’s largest hospitals, with 650 beds and a diverse range of services.
Mercury Bay Medical Centre is affiliated to the Pinnacle Primary Health Organisation (PHO), receiving patient subsidies available for PHO-affiliates. The PHO is very supportive and has developed a great quality assessment programme, and a useful knowledge resource.
The practice is well-resourced, with a slit lamp for diagnosing and treating eye injuries and eye problems. The practice has an ECG machine which is inter grated with the practice patient management system and can be directly linked to the cardiac unit at Waikato Hospital for review and advice at the time of treatment. The practice is fully computerised and the General Practitioners record their patients’ notes electronically. Laboratory and X ray results and some specialist letters are received electronically with other outside letters being scanned into notes. All claims to the various funding authorities are transmitted electronically.
In addition to the usual family medicine, the practice handles the bulk of the medical and accidental emergencies in the area. Although the community presents with a wide range of medical problems, there is virtually no existence of patients with HIV or AIDS. The nursing staff, have been trained and carry out consultation, education and emergency care and repair of patients. They carry out punch biopsies and venesections, the specimens being forwarded to the Medical Laboratory in Hamilton for analysis. Results are downloaded by computer overnight, with urgent results phoned through to the duty doctor.
Mercury Bay Medical Centre is looking for a General Practitioner to our join our Practice for a six month period, with a view to stay longer. If you have a positive attitude, sense of humour and able to provide accident and emergency care to our rural remote community then we are looking for you. Accommodation assistance is available in the short-term and oversight can be provided. There is an enthusiastic peer review group comprising all doctors in the community and some from other townships on the Coromandel Peninsula. Considerable emphasis is placed on Continuing Education for all the practice staff.
For further information about this location, please refer to:
www.moh.govt.nz for information about health policy in New Zealand
www.waikatodhb.govt.nz provides information about regional health services, including Waikato Hospital
To express interest in this position you must be registered, or eligible for registration, with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact enquiries@rgpn.org.nz
The information on these pages was accurate at the time of listing. As some detail may have since changed, NZLocums recommends the information be used as a guideline only.
