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Description

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About Us
We have worked hard to develop staff with a broad range of skills so that you can access a range of expertise without having to travel from Wanaka

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History

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Aspiring Medical Centre was established by Dr Susie Meyer in 1995 initially as a sole practice She started in a sleepout behind Aspiring Dental Clinic sharing the dental reception staff Her first practice nurse Susie Rich had a small room inside On the first day there were 8 patients For nearly a year Susie was on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week for her patients

In 1996 she was joined by Dr Lucy OHagan who consulted in a refurbished garage alongside the dental rooms Setting up a new practice was a great opportunity to think about what is important and set up a healthy culture within the organization Female doctors were a new thing in Wanaka Curious customers asked questions like quotdoes your doctor write prescriptionsquot quotdoes your doctor stitch people upquot Anything can be done by 2 women in a sleepout and a garage we reassured them

In 1998 we moved to the premises in Dungarvon St added an Xray service with the help of radiographer Annie Campbell and got our first Practice Manager Noeline Hamilton We also took on a male doctor Simon Brebner He was also very good at writing prescriptions and stitching people up In 2005 we were fortunate to recruit Dr Jayne Davies from the UK who bought into the practice as a partner

Since 1995 Wanaka has been in a boom and we have had to deal with constant growth adding new rooms and increasing staffing

In 2005 we took on Lynda Davis as Clinical and Nursing Manager Lynda has been instrumental in setting up clinical protocols and preparing us for Cornerstone accreditation This is a quality programme through the NZ College of GPs and we were the first practice in Central Otago to gain accreditation in 2008

Sally Battson leads our management team with efficiency and integrity We have been fortunate to have incredibly able and kind reception staff lead initially by Shell Pepperell then Jennifer Love

Of course we couldnt do it without our wonderful nursing staff who work tirelessly to make sure nothing falls through the gaps They have all trained into specialist roles

In 2005 our nurses Jackie Davison and Sue Evans trained in contraception and sexual health They now work independently alongside Jayne Davies and Lucy Ohagan at the Wanaka Sexual Health Clinic In 2010 they created the CHOICE Youth Health Trust to further promote services for young people

We have been keen participants in the Wanakfest annual parade commencing with Plaster Paradise then 2 memorable floats quotPolly has a dolly that is sickquot And a year later a quotMASHquot theme We have an annual charity fund to donate to events or organizations that contribute to community wellbeing

Aspiring Medical Centre has been hosting GP registrars and rural house surgeons for over 10 years Our trainees are fully qualified doctors with hospital experience They see patients usually with longer appointment times under supervision from the senior doctors We are enthusiastic teachers and we love the stimulation and ideas that trainees offer the practice We are an accredited teaching practice with RNZCGP

On 20 June 2011 we moved into the new Wanaka Lakes Health Centre building on Cardona Road We can now offer you on site pharmacy xrays physiotherapy optometrist audiology chiropractor podiatrist visiting specialists dieticians counselling massage therapyand an espresso coffee bar Its along way from the days in the sleep out behind the dentist For more information on this exciting project