Daniel Calder, Author at Botany Junction Medical

A proud team of 100% Vaccinated employees

By Daniel Calder
September 27, 2021 10:08 pm

Proud to have a fully vaccinated team

We hit a great milestone of getting our amazing team of employees 100% Vaccinated for Covid-19 this week. We’ve been encouraging our East and South Auckland communities to get vaccinated to build their immunity. It’s important to us that we lead from the front. So, all of our staff at our clinics have prioritised getting their second jabs, so we are fully Covid-19 vaccinated.

We’re committed to 100% Vaccination across our clinics

Our sister clinics, Highbrook Medical & Ormiston Medical, and the team at Botany Junction Medical are committed to maintaining our 100% employee vaccination rate. Firstly, this means that we now have another way of protecting not just ourselves and our families, but also all of our community when they come to see us at any of our clinics. We will continue with all the other good ways of protecting you. This includes wearing gowns and masks and washing or sanitizing our hands. We’ll ask you to scan in with the Covid Tracer, wear a mask and keep two meters from other people while at the clinic.

Secondly, we would love to ask you to join us to achieve another very important goal. Please help us make this happen.

Helping our community achieve a high goal too

We want to vaccinate as many people in our community as are able to have the vaccine. That is all of you over the age of 12 years! It’s a big target, but a very important one to reach.

It’s really important because if you’ve had both doses of the vaccine are much less likely to get very sick or be hospitalised if you do get Covid-19. Also, when more of us are vaccinated, it will be harder for the disease to spread.

Most importantly, by having the Covid vaccination you can protect your whole whānau. This includes those young ones under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet but can still get sick. We know that Delta can affect all ages, so the best way to protect everyone from getting ill – from little babies to kaumātua – is to vaccinate.

Also, because our employees are 100% vaccinated, we can give extra protection to our kuia and koroua and people with long-term illnesses like diabetes, who are more at risk if they do get sick. Protecting our loved ones and our neighbourhood is a team effort.

Still unsure about having the vaccine?

This is something we can achieve if we all get on board. But, if you are still a little unsure about having the vaccine, please ring to talk with us. Our team speak many different languages and we are happy to listen to your questions. We can help you make sense of any confusing things you may have heard on social media or from friends. We are very open to hearing your worries. We’re sharing the content we think you need to know on our Facebook page, so follow us there for updates.

Staying focused on moving to Level 2

Remember, if you have even the slightest sore throat or runny nose call us to get tested for Covid 19. We’ve done great work as a community in the last weeks. Keep your bubble small, shop and exercise locally, scan in and wear a mask.

Most important of all, come to get a vaccination. Reach out to all your family and friends to help them feel comfortable about coming for a vaccination too. It is really our best way back to a more normal way of living, returning to work, attending activities, events and rejoining the community activities that we all love.

Finally, we want to acknowledge our amazing team for standing together in this goal of having our employees 100% vaccinated. It’s no mean feat getting everyone onboard across 3 clinics, so we feel privileged to work with a team who stands behind each other in all aspects of their mahi.

level 3 and what it means for seeing your GP

Level 3 what it means for visiting your GP

By Daniel Calder
September 20, 2021 5:42 pm

Moving into Level 3

Phew! We got through Level 4 lockdown, and now you might be about Level 3 and what it means for seeing your GP. As of Wednesday morning, we’ll be operating under Level 3 rules, but of course at Botany Junction, our team has continued providing essential healthcare for people over telephone and video throughout. People that require an in-person appointment are seen after an initial telephone assessment, in our dedicated area at the back of the clinic with all the appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions. This will stay in place to ensure we keep everyone safe.

As we finally transition to Level 3, we know you’ll all be taking a deep breath and doing all you can to help stamp out this latest outbreak. Our East Tāmaki community have been amazing not becoming complacent. You’ve been doing everything possible to cut off any new lines of transmission. I’ve compiled some answers to some of the more common questions that people have asked.

Why is Delta different?

The Delta variant is highly infectious and transmits more easily when compared with the original version of COVID-19.

This means that a large number of people have become infected despite the strict lockdown measures, but even more people would have been infected by now if we had not had a lock-down. Typically, if one household member gets COVID-19, everyone living in the same house will get it, the lock-down is there to prevent spread outside of the household bubble.

This is the way we protect ourselves, our whānau and especially the vulnerable members of our community like the elderly, those with diabetes and other health conditions which make them more at risk if they become infected with Covid-19. For some straightforward information about how Delta is different, check out Siouxsie Wiles’ article.

If you are not an essential worker, please stay at home, unless you are getting medical attention, a vaccination, buying food, going to a chemist or petrol station. Always use the Covid Tracer App or sign in. You can also go out for exercise but please stay local.

Got Covid-like symptoms? Here’s what to do.

If you feel unwell at all, even if it is just a runny nose or tickly throat, please call us on 09 265 0321 to arrange a booked appointment for a free Covid-19 swab. Have a look at the handy Covid-19 symptom checker if you are not sure if it could be Covid.

If you have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid 19, or been at a place of interest, please isolate at home and phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on what to do next.

While you are waiting for the result of your Covid-19 test, it is very important to stay at home, in isolation. If you are unwell and need medical help, please ring the clinic as we are here to help and a consultation can be arranged over the phone or by a video link.

Why should I wear a mask?

We understand that wearing a mask is not the most natural, or comfortable thing for anyone to do. However, it is really important, as it helps to reduce the chance of you catching Covid 19Covid-19 and also protects other members of our community. None of us can be sure if we have been exposed to Covid, so wearing a mask protects others. You can be infectious and spread Covid-19 before you develop any symptoms. Although vaccinated people are much less infectious, they can still spread Covid-19 so it is important to wear a face mask even after you’ve been vaccinated.

Covid-19 is spread by small droplets in the air and when a person is coughing and sneezing, these small droplets can spread far. This is why it is recommended to keep two meters away from other people and wear your mask correctly. Advice on the safe wearing, disposal and washing of reusable face coverings is on the Ministry of Health site health.govt.nz

All exposure sites are listed on The Ministry of Health website and the Contact tracing locations of interest.

Getting vaccinated will significantly reduce symptoms if you get exposed to Covid

Finally, the very best thing all of us can do to get back to seeing our loved ones and friends and preventing lockdowns in the future is to get vaccinated. All of us in New Zealand over the age of 12 are now eligible for a FREE vaccination. Don’t wait, book an appointment to be vaccinated at our branch in Ormiston Medical through the National Booking system

As always, we are here to help you with your health questions. Call us or use the patient portal to reorder your regular prescriptions and don’t put off getting support for other aspects of your health. If you need a consultation with our doctors this is possible with a phone or video consultation, or you can be seen in the clinic if needed. Keep up the good work. Together we will get to the end of this outbreak.

Dr Daniel Calder is Group Clinical Director at Botany Junction Medical.

Supporting whānau health and wellbeing during lockdown

Here to support whānau health and wellbeing

By Daniel Calder
August 31, 2021 6:12 pm

It’s extremely important to all of our team to support whānau health and wellbeing for all of you during this Covid-19 Lockdown.

As Auckland remains at Level 4 lockdown for another two weeks, we are thinking about our patients and our East Tāmaki community, at this challenging time.
We recognise how stressful it is for you and how many different tasks you are trying to juggle. Working, home schooling, caring for whānau and putting food on the table take on a new dimension, as does trying to look after your own health and wellbeing.

Our Botany Junction clinic remains open and we are here to help.

If you are needing a Covid test, because you are a contact of a positive case or you have been at a location of interest, stay at home and phone us to make an appointment for a Covid swab. Over the weekend, there are drive-thru swabbing tents nearby at East Care Urgent Care Clinic too. Remember, if you have cold-like symptoms it is important to get a Covid test, as many Covid 19 symptoms are just like having a cold or the flu.

Booking your Covid-19 Vaccination

Many of our patients are still waiting to be vaccinated. Book in your Covid vaccination by using the National Booking system and entering our clinic code: KDE8ZFQ93D If you already have an appointment scheduled for either your first or second vaccination please come to have it. However, if you are self-isolating or are sick please call us to rebook. We are set up to provide this service safely for both you and our staff. Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect the health and wellbeing of yourself, your whānau and our community from serious or life-threatening illness.

The Covid vaccination is completely FREE and everyone in New Zealand over the age of 12 is eligible (as of 1st September) for vaccination, even if they are only a visitor to the country.
The Pfizer vaccine which is being given in New Zealand has been tested extensively for safety overseas and has also been approved by Medsafe, our regulatory board. Find out more about how we can support whānau to get Covid vaccinations here.

Please don’t put off seeking medical assistance

Also, it is of great importance to us at Botany Junction Clinic that if you or a family member is sick with other health issues, please don’t put off getting help and treatment. Ring us and a phone or video appointment can be arranged. If it is necessary, an in person appointment can be arranged.
It is not just physical illness that may be of concern at this time. If you are worried about your mental wellbeing do contact us as we can support you in all aspects of health and wellbeing, and advise you on how to access further treatment. We have a specialist health coach and Health Improvement Practitioner who can help.
To you all, keep up the good work and Kia Kaha.

Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout

By Daniel Calder
May 12, 2021 3:29 am

The team at Botany Junction Medical is very excited to announce that we are opening our COVID-19 vaccination clinic next week, for our registered patients by appointment only.

We are proud to be amongst the first GP clinics to start rolling out the vaccinations to East and South Auckland Primary Care patients.

From next Monday 17th May, our team will start vaccinating, by booked appointment only, the following people as per MoH guidelines:

East and South Auckland people who are aged 65 and over
Māori and Pacific people older than 55 years.

We’ll be keeping you updated as soon as we know more about when we can open vaccinations to the general populations.

Please note that you may also receive a message from Counties Manukau DHB inviting you to attend one of the mass vaccination sites for your vaccine.

You can choose where you receive your vaccination, the most important thing is to get it done.

Please keep a lookout on the government Covid website for updated information

FAQs

What do I need to do to get a Covid vaccine?

We will contact you to make an appointment when you are eligible for your Covid vaccine.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, you are required to have an appointment. You can contact one of our Customer Service team members on 09 265 1325 to book a time that is convenient for you.

Given the Ministry of Health Administration process required and after vaccine observation time necessary, we recommend that you allow up to an hour for this appointment to be completed.

How do I prepare for the vaccine?

If you have had another vaccination recently, such as the flu or a Tetanus vaccination please make sure you wait 2 weeks before getting the COVID-19 Vaccination. If you have had the Zostavax (shingles) vaccine you will need to wait 4 weeks until you can have your Covid vaccine.

No other preparation is required but, as usual, only come into the clinic when you have no covid related symptoms.

Which Vaccine will I get?

In New Zealand, we have access to the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine. The shot is given in the muscle of the upper arm. The clinical trials performed on the Pfizer vaccine show it’s approximately 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19, seven days after receiving two doses.

When will I get my second dose?

The second dose must be at least 21 days following your first dose. We will discuss your vaccination schedule during your appointment and book another appointment.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

We recommend that you bring a water bottle and something to read/do during your observation time.

What else should we be doing?

Vaccines are just one part of our strategy to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand. We need to keep washing our hands, staying home if we’re unwell and using the COVID Tracer App or keeping a record of where we’ve been. Testing for Covid will be an important ongoing part of keeping Aotearoa safe.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccination Safe?

Medsafe have a great resource here about their vaccine assessment and approval process.

No vaccine will be made available for public use in New Zealand until Medsafe complete their assessment and it’s been approved.

Read more about the safety of the Vaccine at the MOH site.

Will there be side effects?

Like all medicines, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people. Most side effects are mild and don’t last long. The shot may cause temporary pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the injection.

Find out more about side effects

What is New Zealand’s MOH Vaccination Plan?