Experiences from people who have enrolled with a GP

Married couple Mitesh Pankaj Parikh and Dolly Rajendrakumar Joshi have found the relationship with their regular doctor in New Zealand a pleasant one.

“Because it’s so populated, doctors in India don’t have much time to spend with their patients. They see so many patients that it’s difficult for them to know each patient well,” says Dolly, a physiotherapist by profession.

“In New Zealand, it’s different. My local doctor knows me well and he knows of my prior conditions when I see him without my having to explain it to him. He’s even providing me with guidance on getting my license to practice as a physiotherapist in New Zealand!”

Originally from Mumbai, qualified chef Mitesh first moved to New Zealand in 2005 while Dolly joined him in early 2011. Both are enrolled with the same doctor in their local suburb of Papatoetoe.

Dolly’s advice to people still thinking about enrolling with a doctor is simple.

“Make it the first thing you do. I know enrolling may not seem important — especially if you’ve just migrated to New Zealand and are busy settling in — but it’s important. You will never know when you will be sick or need to see a doctor.

“If you enrol when you are actually sick, you won’t be able to get the benefits of enrolling straight away, so you will have to pay more to see the doctor. Make enrolment a first priority.”

The Qin family of Avondale have experienced first hand the advantages of having a regular doctor. Originally from Guangzhou, China, the family have been seeing the same family doctor in Te Atatu for the past 15 years.

“When he was younger, my son Daniel used to be quite sick. I used to have to take him to our doctor quite regularly, so it was good that there was someone who knew my son’s medical history, and how to treat my son’s condition accordingly without having for me to explain everything to a different doctor each time,” says mum Wanny Wu.

Daniel is 14 now, but Wanny also remembers their family doctor’s practice getting in touch with her when Daniel (and his older sister Jenny) were younger to make them aware of things such as immunisation.

Dad Frank also had breathing difficulties, and their family doctor would arrange to have him undergo regular tests to make sure that there were no long-term health issues.

This relationship that they have with their doctor is a novelty for the family.

“It’s a different system to that in China — in China you look after yourself — but it’s a good system they have in New Zealand. It’s good having a regular doctor,” says Wanny.

It did, however, require some getting used to. When Frank’s mum Hui Fang joined the family in New Zealand, she was anxious at the concern her doctor had shown for her blood pressure levels and an ongoing condition with her legs.

“Initially she was quite worried that the doctor kept asking her to go for these tests! But we explained the New Zealand system to her, and she understands now that doctors in New Zealand just want to make sure that their patients are better able to look after their own health.”

Jane Shi is a student currently attending the University of Auckland. She is enrolled with the GP there and finds it an extremely convenient and cheap way to get her regular health check-ups.

“The doctor is located at the University campus, making health appointments has never been easier. Whether it’s the common cold, a specific condition or stress-load, the University health services is there to offer help and support.”

The service is discounted at a cheaper price for tertiary students, allowing regular health check-ups to be a very realistic option for Jane and her peers.

“It’s simple. It’s fast. It’s exactly what we need at University. Your body goes through changes and you also become increasingly aware of the importance of keeping healthy, so registering with a GP on-site is a great decision.”

“It’s one of the many privileges of attending university in New Zealand.”

“It’s really good to have a regular GP,” says Jean Kim of Milford, “they know my family well and they’re in touch regularly, especially when my son Hogun was younger to let us know of things such as immunisation and before school checks.”

Jean, husband Sam and 10-year-old Hogun have been going to the same medical centre in Takapuna for nearly a decade.

“Even my 78-year-old father, who doesn’t speak a lot of English, can communicate well with his doctor, simply because they’ve known each other for so long!”

It is good to be enrolled with a doctor you can trust, says Jean.

“The New Zealand health system can be confusing for many Korean immigrants when they first arrive in New Zealand. You don’t know where to go to get tests, or how to get your child immunised.

“When you’re enrolled, you have one doctor taking care of everything, from blood tests to regular health checks.”