Online Video Appointments

• Live video appointments. Talk face-to-face to your doctor via camera using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
• Simple & convenient. No need to download any software.
• Avoiding your need to travel to the doctor’s clinic
• Reduced absence from work
• Get prescription delivered to your pharmacy for pick-up straight away. We can fax prescription to any pharmacy anywhere in New Zealand.
• Security. We use systems that meet recommended standards to protect the privacy and security of the video visits.
• Continuity of care. Available to our enrolled patients only. We have all your health records available.

• Long term mental health reviews
• Palliative care reviews
• Work and Income benefit reviews
• ACC claims & follow ups
• Travel medicine conversations or advice when traveling
• Patients with physical access & mobility issues

• If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe pain, allergic reaction, or bleeding, do not book online – contact our medical centre immediately 09-5796147 or dial 111 for an ambulance.
• If you are unsure please ring us on 09-5796147 and speak to the triage doctor first.

The online video appointments are provided by doctors working at Ellerslie Medical Centre. To begin with Dr Catherine Chan will be the only doctor providing this new service.

You can join the online video appointment from anywhere, your bedroom, your house, or your work. Choose somewhere private so your consultation will not be overheard!

A computer or device with a camera & microphone is required. See instructions for logging in for details.

Click here for info on what you need for your session.

Before your first appointment we strongly advise you to run a Precall test to check and verify that your device is able to conduct an online video consultation. 

From March 2020, the cost of online video appointments is the same as face-to-face appointments at the clinic.

To see a full list of our fees click here

We will send you the payment details by text message. You can see our payment options here.

If you require a receipt for insurance purposes, please let the doctor know during your appointment, or ring reception on 09-579 6147.

Please ring reception on 09-5796147.

The standard appointment time with a doctor is 15 minutes. This is a short time for you to explain your problems and for the doctor to examine you and decide on a treatment plan. If you feel 15 minutes is not enough time to discuss all your concerns you may be best to book a double appointment with your doctor. (appointments for 30 minutes will incur double the fee above)

You can help get the best from an online video appointment by following these simple steps:

• arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow for preparation time
• avoid wearing brightly patterned or reflective clothing as this may interfere with the quality of the camera image
• switch your mobile off or to silent mode
• speak clearly so your voice can be picked up by the microphone
• if you have a question or need help during the online video consultation, just ask.

You and your doctor will be on a computer screen at each end of the online video consultation.

You will be asked some identifying questions such as your name, address, and date of birth to make sure the right patient and right health records are present. The doctor will speak with you and ask you questions in the same way as they would at a face-to-face consultation.

You, your GP.

As with a face-to-face appointment, a support person/whanau may accompany you if you wish.

The same privacy and confidentiality requirements that apply to face-to-face consultations apply to online video consultations.

 It can only be seen and heard by the health care professionals involved.

If your doctor thinks you need a physical examination after assessing you over video, we will arrange a follow up in-person visit for this. (Additional charges may apply depending on time & complexity)

No. Our practice does not record online video consultations and we do not give patients permission to make their own recordings of an online video consultation. If your GP thinks it would be helpful for your treatment to record particular images during your online video consultation, they would first seek your permission to do so.

Resources that are shared during the online video consultation, such as information leaflets, whiteboard, chats and links may be downloaded for future reference.

Most patients feel a little nervous at the beginning of their first online video consultation because it’s a new way of seeing their doctor. However, most patients soon feel very comfortable with this kind of consultation. It’s very unlikely you’ll feel unable to continue with an online video consultation. If this does happen, you can leave although consultation fees may still apply.