Anne from the Hepatitis Foundation held 2 clinics at the Tarawera Medical Centre this week. This enabled Kawerau patients with Hepatitis B or C who were due for a Fibroscan assessment to access this important test without travelling out of town. The Fibroscan helps measure scarring of the liver and can help guide treatment to limit liver damage form chronic hepatitis infection. Previously a liver biopsy was required to gain this type of information so this painless, non-invasive test is a real step forward. Dr. Aidan Williams volunteered to have a scan done so that we could see how the process worked. Further clinics will be arranged as needed to maintain follow-up as conveniently as possible. See the Hepatitis Foundation website for more information including risk factors for Hepatitis B and C and an online Risk Calculator

Just a reminder that our hours are 8 to 6 every week day so after school or after work appointments and emergency consultations are available every day. The drop in clinic on a Friday afternoon remains very popular before the weekend.

Aidan having a Fibroscan

Having investigated the growing range automatic defibrillators over the past 6 months we finally settled on the model offered by St. Johns and our unit was delivered last week. With five of our doctors and one of our nurses trained as PRIME practitioners, we regularly attend callouts to support the ambulance and paramedics but it will be nice to have on-site access to a defibrillator if needed in emergency. Previously defibrillators have been large, very expensive units but with technological advances, compact, relatively reasonable units are available. While not exactly cheap at approx $3500 they  can make a significant difference in sudden cardiac arrest survival by eliminating the delay in waiting for an ambulance equipped with a defibrillator. Hopefully our record of not needing one in the practice over the past 25 years will continue, but at least we now have one available if the need arises.

Heartstart Automatic External Defibrillator

Heartstart AED easily available if needed

After a couple of frustrating months with delays due to manufacturing errors in the initial batch, our carpets which were due in May are finally in. Thanks to everyone who tidied up to get things ready and especially to everyone who stayed on late on Friday to get the rooms clear and ready for Saturday and then came back in and put in a solid few hours on Sunday afternoon and evening to get things ready and tested before tomorrow morning. Special thanks to Keith and his son, Mathew, who came in to wrestle with the spaghetti that runs from our server, and to Paul who gave up 6 hours of his last day of holiday to help.