Throat health, new Kilbirnie premises, private fee changes

(Inside Aotea, August 2010)

This winter we have analysed plenty of throat swabs from doctors looking to diagnose whether their patients’ sore throats are caused by bacteria, or if they are simply a winter virus that many of us get at this time of year and that rest is one of the best treatments for.

We have some useful information in this newsletter about how to look after your throat during the winter. I hope you find it helpful for staying healthy! You can also find out below how a throat swab is analysed

Earlier this month we opened new rooms in Kilbirnie — at 68 Bay Rd. We think our eastern suburbs patients will appreciate the rooms as they are newly renovated, large, sunny and comfortable. They’re also very handy to parking, bus routes and the Kilbirnie shops. Opening hours are 7.30am — 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The rooms replace our Miramar rooms where our lease expired last month. Other news is that, as from November 2011, pathology testing for patients referred by private specialists will be free of charge, due to a change in policy from the government. Details of how that might affect you are on the back page of the newsletter.

Until next time, take care and keep warm.

Dr Karen Wood

Aotea Pathology Chief Executive