At Queen Street Medical, we understand that your time is valuable, and so is the time you spend with our healthcare professionals. Sometimes you might arrive prepared with questions, only to find yourself forgetting them once you’re in the consultation room. This is a common experience, and we’re here to help you make the most of your appointment time.
Our team of experienced Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Prescriber, nurses, clinical pharmacist, and administration staff are committed to providing comprehensive care for all your primary health needs. To ensure you receive the best possible care during your visit, we’ve put together some helpful guidance on how to prepare for and get the most out of your appointment.
Be prepared
Taking a few minutes to prepare before your appointment can make a significant difference to the outcome. Consider what your main concern is and focus on addressing that first. If you have multiple health issues to discuss, it’s best to prioritise the most pressing one rather than trying to cover everything in a single appointment.
If you do have several concerns that need attention, please speak with our reception team about booking a longer appointment. This allows our healthcare professionals to give each issue the time and attention it deserves, ensuring you receive thorough care without feeling rushed.
Know your symptoms
Being specific about your symptoms helps our team provide better care. Before your appointment, take note of when your symptoms started, how long they’ve been present, and any patterns you’ve noticed. Consider factors that might make your symptoms better or worse, and how they’re affecting your daily activities.
This information is invaluable to our healthcare team and helps us understand your condition more clearly. The more precise you can be about timescales (in hours, days, months, or years), the better we can assess your situation.
Arrive on time
We understand that doctors sometimes run behind schedule, but this can be made worse when patients arrive late for their appointments. To help us maintain our schedule and minimise waiting times for all patients, please try to arrive on time or a few minutes early for your appointment.
If you’re running late, please call our reception team to let them know. In some cases, if you arrive ten minutes or more late, your doctor may need to see the next patient in the queue to avoid further delays.
Follow your treatment plan
For the best health outcomes, it’s important to follow the treatment plan agreed with your healthcare professional. If you have any difficulties with your medication or treatment, please let us know rather than simply stopping it.
Book follow-up appointments when needed
Some conditions require ongoing monitoring or follow-up care. If your doctor recommends a follow-up appointment, please book this before leaving the practice or as soon as possible afterwards.
While the internet has a wealth of health information, it can be difficult to determine what’s relevant to your specific situation. If you’ve researched your symptoms online, feel free to discuss your findings with your doctor, but try to keep an open mind.
Our healthcare professionals have years of training and experience to help interpret your symptoms correctly. They can help separate reliable information from misconceptions and provide guidance specific to your individual health needs.
At Queen Street Medical, we believe in a partnership approach to healthcare. By coming prepared to your appointment, communicating clearly, and actively participating in decisions about your care, you can help us provide you with the best possible healthcare experience.
Our team is dedicated to supporting your health and wellbeing, and we appreciate your cooperation in making each appointment as effective as possible. Together, we can ensure you receive the comprehensive care you deserve as part of our Upper Hutt community.