For enrolled patients
Click the link below to book an appointment with our GPs and medical team.
Book Appointment
For enrolled patients, we recommend using our patient portal, The Doctors App. Log in via the app on your phone or the desktop version to view available practitioners and appointments.
Please note: Booking through the app is available for enrolled patients only. If you don’t have a login, please create an account here. If you have just enrolled, please note that you won’t have access to The Doctors App until we have confirmed your enrolment via email. If you are unsure, please call us.
To Download ‘The Doctors App’ on your mobile:
1. Scan the QR code below, or click on the Apple or Google Play buttons which will take you directly to the app store to download it.
2. Select ‘Create Account’ and enter the unique practice invite code: MUSS
3. Enter your details. Please make sure your name, date of birth, and mobile number match the details you gave us when you enrolled with us.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of your GP Appointments
At The Doctors Silverstream, we strive to provide good quality care for all our patients. However, the resource and time constraints in the current environment can sometimes mean our GPs will run late, or struggle to address all patient queries within a single appointment. Understandably, this can create an unsatisfactory experience for both the GP and the Patient.
We have included some tips below that will allow you to get the most from your doctor’s appointment.
1) Understand the Limitation of Each Appointment
Each standard GP consultation is scheduled for 15 minutes; however, it’s important to be aware that this also includes the time the doctor has to perform any necessary admin tasks related to the consultation. In reality, the patient-facing time the doctor has within each appointment tends to be around 10-12 minutes.
Of course, every one of our doctors likes to do a thorough job and will want to ask follow-up questions relating to each individual complaint. This means they are often only able to address 1 complex issue, or 2 simpler issues, within a standard consultation.
Presenting the doctor with multiple problems can mean there is an increased risk they may not be able to address all issues in the depth and attention they require.
If you are aware that issue you are bringing to the doctor is complex or have a list of multiple issues you wish to discuss, please book a double appointment (30 minutes). Otherwise, please be aware that the doctor may ask you to come back for another appointment to discuss additional issues, if they feel they do not have time to deal with both appropriately.
2) Don’t Leave the Real Problem to the Last Minute
We know from experience that when people often present their list of current problems, they leave the most sensitive or difficult issues to last.
We understand certain issues can be tough to talk about, but unfortunately this creates increased difficulty for your doctor if they may then have already spent most of the appointment minutes dealing with the more minor ailments. This can make the doctor feel like they need to rush, and increases the likelihood that something might be missed, or leave you feeling unsatisfied you weren’t given enough time to discuss the real reason you made the appointment.
3) Tell Your Doctor About Your Expectations
Every person is different and comes to our doctors for their own individual reasons, it is because of this that it’s very useful for our doctors to understand early in the consultation what your expectations are. For example, if you hope that you can be referred to a specialist, have a blood test, have a scan organized, or be prescribed certain medications, please communicate this early and clearly during the appointment. This helps our doctors to assess whether your request is appropriate in dealing with your issue, or if there may be another treatment or recommendation they could make.
Ultimately, this not only helps with timekeeping, but also makes the consultation process more efficient and transparent for both GP and patient.
4) If Possible, Book with Your Own GP to Discuss Long-Term and/or Complex Issues
Because our doctors have different working schedules, you are able to book with whoever you would prefer. However, if you have a complex medical background or particular long-term conditions that you have already spent a lot of time discussing with a particular doctor, it is best to go back to the same doctor regarding that issue. They will already have background knowledge about your particular situation, challenges you may be facing, and treatments that you may be undergoing, whereas other GPs, though equally knowledgeable, will not already have complete oversight of your particular case.
However, we understand that due to various constraints this is not always possible. We would simply ask—if you are seeing a different doctor than usual—to expect questions regarding your situation, some of which you may feel you have answered previously. Due to time constraints, it isn’t always possible for your doctor to comprehensively review every previous record before seeing you.
5) Bring Along a Support Person
During the doctor’s appointment you may be given a lot of information, this can be overwhelming at times, and it can be useful to have a supportive person there to help remember everything.
Bringing along a friend or member of the whānau could also provide the doctor with useful supporting information, as they might notice symptoms or details that are not so obvious to you.
6) Be Kind to Staff Members
Our practice, like most GP surgeries in the country, is facing tremendous pressure—the growing health needs of our community, along with the chronic lack of government investment over a generation, ultimately lead to a high level of staff burnout. We would ask you to be kind to our admin, nursing and medical staff, as they are often the most important resources we have in primary healthcare.
We understand certain situations can be frustrating and dealing with health worries can heighten emotions, but please be aware that our practice will not tolerate any physically or verbally abusive behaviours, and any threats made against any member of our staff will be taken seriously.