Grand opening of Tokoroa Medical Centre next week
A $1.5 million refurbishment of Tokoroa’s new one- stop health shop is all but complete.
With the grand opening of the Tokoroa Medical Centre planned for Monday, final touches are under way.
What was once a neglected hospital ward is now a colourful medical centre with 17 consult rooms.
The unique design of the building matches the centre’s adoption of a new model of care that has been running in Hamilton for three years.
The centre’s seven doctors will be working hand in hand with two physician assistants, one clinical pharmacist, one nurse practitioner, three medical centre assistants and a team of nurses and administration support.
Business manager Mark Taylor said this new concept will ensure patients get the best value for their time and money.
Under the old system patients would check in and wait for a doctor to become available.
Come February, once patients arrive for their appointment, they will be seen by a medical centre assistant straight away where basic health checks such as height, weight and blood pressure will be completed.
‘‘This means GPs can focus on the patient’s actual reason for visiting during their consultation.’’
A major change in layout is the move away from individual doctor’s rooms.
GPs will now complete their paperwork in a separate area to ensure the consult rooms are used for patient consults only.
The community has been a huge focus of the building’s design, he said.
‘‘We want it to be a friendly, warm place and not so clinical.’’ Primary Health Care held a photography competition at both Tokoroa high schools and have selected three from each to hang in the new reception area.
It also commissioned Ngati Raukawa to design a ‘‘kape’’ motif that represents the growth and development of the community. A full scale graphic will take centre place in the reception area and the design will also cover window areas within the new facility.
‘‘Seeing the end product, it’s fantastic,’’ Mr Taylor said.
There have been sacrifices made to ensure the project stayed under budget but he said none will be noticed by patients or staff.