The Doctors Richmond

25/04/2026

Protect yourself and your whānau this winter

Why get vaccinated? Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your whānau from winter illness. Vaccines help your immune system recognise and fight infections, which can:

Reduce your risk of getting seriously unwell
Lower the chance of hospitalisation
Help protect vulnerable people around you
Support community immunity during the autumn and winter peak.

Even if you’re generally healthy, vaccination can reduce the severity of illness and minimise time off work or school. This is especially important for:
People aged 65+
Pregnant people
Babies and young children
People with long-term health conditions.

24/04/2026

Virtual ADHD assessments

We are now able to refer patients aged 18+ for a virtual ADHD assessment through The Doctors Whakatipu.

How the process works:

Book an appointment with your GP or Nurse Practitioner (NP).
If further assessment is recommended, you will be booked for a 60-minute appointment with Helen (HCA) and Megan (HIP).

This initial assessment includes:

*An overview of the ADHD assessment process

*Medical and lifestyle history

*Blood tests and ECG

* Recording of vital signs

Once this information has been reviewed, your GP/NP will decide whether to refer you for a full virtual ADHD assessment.

Pricing:

*Initial 60-minute assessment (including ECG): $225 (registered patients)

*Full virtual assessment with GP/NP: $780

*Follow-up appointment: $75

*Medication review: $130

Please note: The Doctors Whakatipu are currently able to provide this service within 2 weeks of booking a full virtual ADHD assessment (pre-payment required).

23/04/2026

Closed ANZAC Day

A reminder that our practice will be closed on Monday, 27 April for ANZAC Day.
If you need medical care while we are closed, please go to your nearest urgent care / after hours facility. For general health advice, call 📞Healthline on 0800 611 116. In an emergency, call 📞111.

18/03/2026

The best protection against the flu is getting a flu vaccine. It takes up to 2 weeks after having your flu vaccine for your body to start protecting against the flu. 💪

Our 2026 Flu vaccine drive through clinic is planned for Sunday 12th April. Please note the date is weather dependent, so we will confirm via SMS nearer the time. Clinic bookings for flu vaccines will be available from 1st April 2026. If you are booking for under 18s or someone with an allergy please book via reception as you will need a longer appointment.

07/03/2026

12-month scripts

From Feb 2026, repeat prescriptions are available longer periods (up to 12 months) for long-term medications when your condition is stable, and no medication alterations are needed. The decision to approve or decline a medication lies with the prescriber. A consultation is required for this to ensure your condition and treatment is appropriate.

06/03/2026

ADHD assessment

You may be aware that some vocationally trained GPs can now provide adult ADHD diagnosis and prescriptions.

At this stage, our practice is unable to provide this service.

We understand this may be disappointing, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding as we continue to focus on delivering essential primary care services to our community. You are still welcome to discuss any ADHD questions with your GP or to explore referral options to another suitable provider.

05/03/2026

Blood tests

A reminder that we are only able to request blood tests prior to a consultation at the request of the GP or for annual diabetic reviews. If the GP feels you need a blood test, this will be determined during the consultation. If test results are normal or are what we are expecting, we will not contact you. If you would still like to discuss results, please call us📞 to make an appointment.

04/03/2026

Coming soon: Women's Health Clinic

Claudia Huggins (NP) and Dr Jill Moore will shortly be offering dedicated women’s health clinics, providing focused time and expertise to support women at every stage of life.

These clinics will offer appointments for concerns such as contraception and IUD insertions, perimenopause and menopause, menstrual concerns, preconception advice, and more.

More details about clinic times and booking information will be shared soon.

03/03/2026

Fees and Pay it Forward Fund

Please contact us if you are unable to afford your healthcare. We appreciate that some patients may have difficulty paying their invoices and we can assist with WINZ redirection payments and setting up automatic payments. We may also be able to assist by using our Pay it Forward Fund. Please ask at reception if you would like to contribute to the fund.

02/03/2026

Meet the team - Dr Tom Currie

Introducing (and reintroducing) our wonderful team members so you can get to know the friendly faces behind your care!

Dr Tom Currie is our Lead GP and a mentor for trainee GPs. He completed his medical degree at the University of Otago before gaining broad clinical experience across a range of specialties at Christchurch Hospital. He later moved into general practice, completing his GP specialty training while living and working in Hawke’s Bay.

Family ties have since brought Tom and his family back to the Nelson region, where they’re excited to begin their next chapter.

Tom enjoys the diversity that general practice offers and values building long-term relationships within the local community. He also provides monthly skin checks at our practice.

Outside of medicine, Tom loves spending time with his young family and staying active through sport.

28/02/2026

🆓Free support for managing stress

Our Health Improvement Practitioner, Meg, can support you with practical strategies to manage stress and make positive lifestyle changes.

She can work alongside you to help identify what’s contributing to your stress and find realistic ways to get on top of it.

Meg also offers support for managing:

Anxiety
Low mood
Sleep difficulties
Grief
Alcohol and smoking
Chronic health conditions
Perimenopause and menopause.

Appointments are 20–30 minutes, free of charge, and often available on the same day. To book with Meg, speak to your GP, or ask at Reception. No referral needed.

Learn about how Health Improvement Practitioners and Health Coaches work closely with GPs and health professionals at The Doctors Medical Centres.

27/02/2026

Can stress cause a heart attack?

Stress on its own does not directly cause a heart attack. However, the way people respond to ongoing stress can increase their risk. Habits such as drinking too much alcohol, smoking, eating poorly, or being less physically active can all raise the likelihood of heart disease and heart attack over time.

Stress can also play a role in other heart conditions. In rare cases, severe or sudden emotional stress may trigger conditions such as takotsubo cardiomyopathy (often called “broken heart syndrome”) or spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). While uncommon, these conditions highlight the powerful effect stress can have on the heart.