Spring Newsletter 2025
Winter Newsletter 2025
Autumn Newsletter 2025
Kia ora koutou,
Spring has arrived, and with it comes fresh opportunities to take care of your health, wellbeing, and future planning.
👋 Welcome New Team Members
We’re delighted to introduce two new faces at Travis Medical Centre:
- Dr Lucy Gray – our new registrar, who has joined the team until the end of January 2026.
- Monique – our new receptionist, who came on board in August and is looking forward to meeting our patients and community.
✍️ Write Your Will – For Free This September
Simply put, for the month of September you can get your legal Will written at no cost to you.
CAP has partnered with Safewill, a leading online Will-writing platform. Their specialist team will help you write your Will – completely free – during September only. Learn more here.
In addition, Pier Law are offering half-price Wills throughout September – another great option if you prefer to work with a local law firm. Just mention that you are from Travis Medical Centre when you talk to them.
A Will is one of the most important documents you’ll ever create, and this month is the perfect opportunity to get it sorted.
💊 ADHD Diagnosis Update
From 2026, General Practitioners (GPs) in New Zealand will be able to formally diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
This will not be a service that Travis Medical Centre will be offering. Patients who would like an ADHD assessment will need to discuss this directly with their GP, who can advise on the appropriate pathway.
ADHD assessments are lengthy, complex, and require further specialist training for doctors. Providing this service would place significant pressure on our already limited appointment capacity, which we know is not always ideal. For this reason, Travis Medical Centre will not be offering ADHD assessments, as we must prioritise delivering timely access to the core medical services that support all of our 6,500+ enrolled patients.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available on how this change will be rolled out.
🧸 Measles – What You Need to Know
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world – it spreads easily through coughing and sneezing and can remain in the air for up to an hour after an infected person has left the room.
The best protection is vaccination. In New Zealand, the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is free for anyone born after 1 January 1969 who has not already had two doses.
If you have a baby aged 4 months or older and you are planning to travel overseas, they may be eligible for an extra early dose of the MMR vaccine before the routine immunisation schedule begins.
👉 If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, or your child’s, please contact the practice to check your records or book an appointment with the nurse.
👂 Ear Clinic – Wednesday Afternoons
Our ear suction clinic with Nurse Jo runs every Wednesday afternoon. If you’ve been struggling with blocked ears or wax build-up, book an appointment to get relief. The cost is $50 with a CSC or Gold Card, and $60 for patients aged 14 and over.
💊 Urgent Prescription Requests
If you need an urgent script, please order it before 1pm.
- Urgent prescriptions: $32
- Routine prescriptions: please allow 3 working days for your clinician to complete.
🚶♀️ Walking and Fitness Groups
Our Health Coach, Anita, leads a walking group every Thursday at the wetlands. All speeds and fitness levels are welcome – it’s a great way to get moving, connect with others, and enjoy the spring sunshine. Please call reception if you would like more information.
🏊♀️ Aquajogging & Swimming
Babs runs a free aqua jogging and swimming group every Friday at QEII Pool. To join, call or text 021 470 523.
🚶♀️ Walking with Babs
Babs also offers a regular walking group. Her next walk is on Wednesday 24th September, meeting at Scarborough Fare Café (147 Esplanade, clock tower end). The group will leave at 11:30–11:35am. To join, call or text Babs on 021 470 523.
🎧 Podcast Picks
Looking for some inspiration this month? We recommend tuning into Mel Robbins’ podcasts – packed with practical tools, motivation, and strategies to help you thrive.
For health and wellbeing, check out the ZOE Science & Nutrition Podcast, hosted by CEO Jonathan Wolf. Each episode features the world’s top scientists sharing the latest research on health, nutrition, and gut health in an accessible way — all designed to help you improve your weight and overall health
🎄 Christmas & New Year Hours
Our clinic will be closed from lunchtime Christmas Eve (24th December) and will reopen on Monday 5th January 2026.
👉 Please order any repeat prescriptions by 15th December to ensure you don’t run out over the break.
During this time, our friends at Riccarton Clinic will be covering our patients.
Wishing you all a safe and healthy spring,
Travis Medical Centre Team 🌿
Kia ora,
Winter’s approaching – time to rug up, grab a cuppa, and catch up on everything happening at Travis Medical Centre
🏡 Christchurch City Council Rates Rebate
Did you know you might be eligible for a rates rebate through the Christchurch City Council? The Rates Rebate Scheme is a government initiative that helps people with lower incomes pay their council rates. For the 2024/25 year, you could receive up to $750 off your rates Please apply through the Christchurch City Council website or get in touch with their customer services team. Make sure you apply before 30th June 2025.
💡 Tip: Even if your income is slightly above the threshold, you may still qualify for a partial rebate – it’s worth checking!
🩺 Southern Cross Health Insurance Changes
Please note an important update:
Southern Cross claims can now only be made if you attend an in-person medical appointment.
For scripts or phone consultations, you will need to pay at the time and claim back through Southern Cross directly.
Using the My Southern Cross Mobile App:
- Download the app from your device’s app store.
- Use the virtual Member card for Easy-Claim at participating providers.
- Submit claims by uploading receipts directly through the app
💊 Repeat Prescription Policy Update
To help us provide timely service:
- All repeat prescriptions are to be written by your Practitioner.
- Please allow 2–3 working days for processing, as our Practitioners are not available every day.
- If your request is urgent, there is a $32 urgent script fee.
Thank you for your understanding and planning ahead.
🌬️ Breathe Easy This Winter – Book Your COPD/Asthma Care Plan Review
As winter sets in, it’s especially important for those with asthma or COPD to have a clear, up-to-date care plan.
✅ A care plan review helps ensure:
- Your medications are working effectively
- You have an action plan for flare-ups
- You’re equipped to manage symptoms through the colder months
🗓 We recommend a review before winter really hits — especially if you haven’t had one in the past 12 months.
📞 Call us on 03 388 9686 to book your care plan review appointment.
Let’s work together to keep your breathing steady and your health strong this season.
🧪 Blood Tests – Book Online at Awanui Labs
Avoid the wait and book your blood test appointment online with Awanui Labs.
Appointments are quick to make and help reduce your time spent in the waiting room.
Visit: www.awanuilabs.co.nz
🚶♀️ Join Our Thursday Walking Group – Explore the Wetlands Together!
Looking to stretch your legs, meet friendly faces, and enjoy the fresh air? Our Thursday Walking Group is the perfect way to stay active this winter while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of our local wetlands.
📅 When: Every Thursday
🕘 Time: 10:00 AM (weather permitting)
📍 Where: Meet at the Wetlands car park
👟 Route: A relaxed walk through the wetlands – flat, scenic, and suitable for most fitness levels
This social group is open to all ages and abilities – whether you’re a brisk walker or prefer a gentle pace, you’re welcome. It’s a great opportunity to:
- Get in your weekly dose of movement
- Connect with others in a relaxed, friendly setting
- Soak in the calming atmosphere of nature
Contact Anita on 03 3889686 if you are interested.
📲 Check Your Recalls – Stay Informed
We’re going digital to keep things simple.
Your recalls and important health reminders are now available on your patient portal.
📌 Not signed up yet? To get started:
Click on the link below to create your account:
https://myindici.co.nz/Account/RegistrationIndici?ID=F3C36D91-2DE8-49C4-AC01-FC052BD47886
💌 Preferred contact methods: Email or your secure patient portal – help us stay in touch efficiently!
❄️ Until Next Time…
Winter is a time to slow down, nourish your body, and care for your health. We’re here to support you through the season. Stay warm and well,
As the season changes and the days get cooler, we would like to update you on some important news and events happening at Travis Medical Centre.
Flu Injections – Funded and Available from 1st April 2025
We are pleased to announce that funded flu injections will be available from 1st April 2025. However, please note that due to a change in our software programme, we will NOT be holding any flu clinics until Tuesday, 6th May. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding during this transition.
Health Coach Anita’s Walking Group
If you’re looking for a way to get outdoors and keep active, why not join Health Coach Anita’s walking group? A small, keen group meets every Thursday morning to walk around the beautiful Travis Wetlands. It’s a great way to stay fit, enjoy nature, and meet new people. If you’re interested in joining, please contact Anita through reception.
Welcoming Dr Lauren Teape and Dr Grace Chignell
We are excited to welcome Dr Lauren Teape, who has joined our team as a permanent member of staff. Dr Teape brings valuable experience and is eager to serve the Travis community.
Additionally, we’re pleased to have Dr Grace Chignell, who will be our Registrar here at Travis until the end of July. We are thrilled to have her as part of our team during this time.
Reminder – Changes to PMS and Limited Appointments
As previously mentioned, we are in the process of transitioning to a new Patient Management System (PMS). Due to this, there will be limited appointment availability throughout April. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as our dedicated team works to triage patients and ensure those who need to be seen are attended to in a timely manner. Please continue to be kind to our staff, who are doing their best during this period of change. For those looking to enrol in the new MyIndici portal, you can do so by visiting this link: https://patientportal.myindici but please note that the portal will not be active until Monday, 7th April.
Appointment Reminder – Please Notify Us of Cancellations
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let our reception team know as soon as possible so we can offer the slot to another patient in need. Please be aware that a $20 fee will be charged for missed appointments.
Quality Improvement – Diabetes Care Initiative
At Travis, we regularly undertake quality improvement projects to ensure we are providing the best care possible to our patients. Our most recent project focused on supporting individuals with diabetes, particularly those with high blood glucose levels (>65mmol/L). We worked closely with Māori and Pacifica communities to take a holistic approach, which included creating personalised care plans and facilitating access to various support services such as Nurses, Doctors, Health Coaches, Social Workers, and Diabetes Educators.
Through this initiative, we saw a positive overall result, with 68% of patients improving their HBA1C levels. While some patients’ levels worsened, the data highlights areas of success and opportunities for further growth.
Our follow-up questionnaire revealed valuable feedback on what worked well and where we can improve. As a result, we have implemented this questionnaire as a standard practice for all patients with diabetes.
If you have diabetes or would like to learn more about our diabetes care services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are always here to help and support you.
Thank you for being a part of the Travis community. We are committed to providing you with high-quality care and support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Warm regards,
Travis Medical Centre