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Update January, 2005: Sorry to say, owing to brain overload, I have closed my practice to new patients. Exceptions: New borns, and "family" members.
Patient Information
Clive Square
is pleased to be part of the
Dr. Alex Luft
23 Clive Square
Clive Square
Gardens - Downtown Napier
PHONE (06) 835-9604
Open 8:15 am to 4:30 pm Weekdays
AFTER HOURS: City Medical Wellesley Road
Psychologist Robert Ormstein and biologist Paul Ehrlich, in their
thought-provoking book New World ,
New Mind, refer to the "boiled frog" syndrome. If water is heated
slowly to a fatal temperature, frogs sitting in the water fail to notice until
it is too late to jump out and save themselves.
THE PRACTICE 2007
Dr. Alex Luft - is a
Canadian doctor practicing in Napier since 1989. He is much better
looking then this picture would imply - and a darn sight more cheerful.
He spends every weekday in his practice in
In 2007 he was hired as a Medical Officer for the
On some weekends he can be found playing on the beach or in his garden.
Receptionist:
Janet - February, 2005. She is much more gorgeous in soooo many
ways, then this picture would suggest. Watch out for her licence
plate: "YEAHME".
The Nurse. I am thinking about having a nurse. The main problem is I can not afford one. The graphic is not at all representative!
The ABC's of what we do and what you might like to know....
A - Accepting.....
B - Better health care. Why?
Because it is the same doctor, who gets to know you. I believe in
continuity of care. When you are not getting better or your health needs
are long term I suggest you settle on one doctor - not a whole bunch of
different ones. This is one reason I do not work in a group practice.
C - Consultations with the doctor are
obtained by telephone appointment (Ring 835-9604). We work 8:30 am to 4:30
pm weekdays, and later night Wednesday on request. We put the answer machine on
between 1 and 2 in the afternoon. If you need urgent care please ring
City Medical - 835-4999. Thursday afternoons Dr. Luft is away doing house
calls or attending to his hassle free clinic, so there are no appointments
Thursday afternoons.
D - Discretion. We are 100% compliant,
and believe strongly in, the privacy code. Click here for more
information: The Code of Rights.
E - Emergencies: Please inform the receptionist
for urgent cases and we will have you seen immediately by me. In a life
threatening emergency dial 111 for an ambulance. E is also for
enrolled - meaning you have enrolled in the practice and are entitle to
government subsidies on doctors visits and prescriptions.
F - Fees (updated December 2006): I am always
willing to discuss your special financial circumstances in confidence and if
necessary consult for a subsidized (see W, below) fee. From April
2008 most enrolled patients will be charged around $30 per visit (under age six
still free). Our fees vary from free (Children under six and under) to $75
(casual not enrolled patient). We reduce the fee by three
dollars if you pay on the day. Because health managers keep fiddling
(and messing up) the funding system fees will vary. For an up-to-date fee
list please ring. We often enlist the financial support of Work and
Income
G - Grizzles, or complaints. Sometimes
you feel that your doctor, nurse or receptionist misunderstands you or has made
an error in your account, advice, or medical management. Please, tell us about
it. We want the best medical care for you and would value your comments as a
way to improve our service. We also value accolades and praise. We are
not afraid, either, to offer you a second opinion. We, and you, are human
so we don't get it right all the time!
H - Hospitals: We make use of both public and private hospitals when
necessary. I am also a strong supporter of hospices for the terminally
ill or those in need of a rest. Psychiatric patients are managed in cooperation
with the best facilities all over
I - In House Visits: Yes I still do them!
For those so sick they can not travel we will arrange a house visit. Note that
house visits are expensive, and it is far better that, if possible, you make it
to the practice. Ring the receptionist before lunch time to request a
house visit. House visits are unfortunately limited to the Napier area.
J - as in
"...a good medical service
goes beyond just treating illness."
K - kludge. What we do. My practice
does a lot of general medical things. Rest assured, we know our
limits and will send you onto somebody wiser and more experienced then me
should the needs arise. Common areas of general practice include
preventative health, dealing to chest pains, tummy pains, ear aches, sore eyes,
aching joints, diabetes, angina, heart disease, drivers licence, WINZ forms,
War pension issues, AIDS tests, you name it.... But wait there is
more. We even do minor surgery, women's health, ECG's, Liquid
nitrogen, Rest Home Care and have quick access to the best Vasectomies in
Hawke's Bay!
L - Love yourself. I really
believe that it is the patients responsibility to keep themselves
healthy. But to assist in that regard I recommend some preventative
health. Consider: A check up every five year, three yearly cervical
smears for sexually active young woman, mammograms from age 50, a heart check
up at age 50 for men, and prostate screening from age 55. Know your
family history, and get advice from me on your risks for cancer, blood pressure
and diabetes. A good medical service goes beyond just
treating illness!
M - Mental Health. This practice receives
additional funding for the treatment of patients with chronic, severe mental
illness. I have had special training in the treatment of depression,
schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders. This extra funding and training is
in part to alleviate a severe
N - Nursing care. I enlist
the support of the district nurse for dressing changes and other needs of the
elderly or those who can not get into the practice. If things get busy in
the practice (e.g. flu shot season) a nurse comes in and gives me a hand.
O - is for Ouch! We work with
ACC and can manage on the job accidents, back strains, sports injuries, or even
make referral for sensitive issue (e.g. sexual abuse) claims.
P- Prescriptions: We have an excellent
relationship with selected chemists through out Napier and Hastings. For
routine repeat medication we will fax your order to the chemist and it should
be ready the same day. Just phone lovely Janet, and she will arrange a
repeat. Don't be upset if she asks you to come in for a check up if we
have not seen you in a while! We have a free delivery service with a
number of pharmacists. Be sure to let us know that you have a community
services card as this can reduce the costs of your prescriptions a lot.
If you are registered in the practice most chemist charges for prescriptions
will be $3 by July, 2006. Ask your chemist what the current fees are but
be sure to tell them you are registered in my practice to get the reduced
price.
Q -Quick. Well, I am not quick, but I do
run to time. Patients prefer an appointment system so as to avoid reading
those out of date magazine in the waiting room! Having said that,
crises do develop (maybe yours) and I can get behind.
R - Receptionist: The receptionist can help you
with making an appointment, your account, a repeat prescription, or any non
medical enquiry.
S - Specialists: We refer our patients on to
specialists when ever needed. A letter of introduction should be obtained from
the doctor and the patient can arrange his/her own appointment. Some patients
may choose to see a specialist through a hospital clinic if they have financial
worries. In Hawke's Bay we have specialists in surgery, internal medicine, ear
nose and throat, pediatrics, psychiatry, arthritis, dental work, dermatology
and orthopaedics. If necessary, I may send you to a specialist centre outside
of Hawke's Bay.
T - Testing. Those are blood tests and
other diagnostic tests. For privacy (I need an AIDS test doc!) we can do
the blood tests in the privacy of the
U- Unpaid accounts. The doctor pays
overheads, and two employees and asks that you pay your account at the time of
consultation. We require that
if you can’t pay on the day that you do pay us within two weeks. Note the nice discount you get if you
pay on the day. We accept
EFTPOS, but not credit cards. If you are having trouble
paying your account please discuss things with Janet. She can arrange an
automatic deposit of say, five or ten dollars a week which will quickly get you
sorted out. Alternatively we can plead with WINZ (see above). If
the doctor has kindly got you a medical or disability allowance from WINZ it is
reasonable to expect that you will pay the account. Except in an
emergency, we reserve the right to decline medical care if your account is
unpaid after 3 months.
V - Vaccinations, or
immunizations. I believe strongly in childhood immunizations. If
you have any doubts in your mind may I suggest that you visit the
W - is for WINZ who help us out a lot when you
are broke and can't afford to see me. Work and Income
X - X-RAY: In Napier patients have a choice of
places to go for X-rays. Generally the
Y - YYyyyyyyzzzzzzzz.......
(something we all like to do occasionally).
Z - PhyZiotherapy: Hospital or private
physiotherapy can be arranged. Physiotherapy relating to accidents is covered
in part by ACC. I am happy to refer you to an excellent physiotherapy
services in Napier. Please see me for a referral and to start the ACC
process.
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