Small changes, meaningful impact at Ohope medical centre

Publish in the Whakatane Beacon on 28/01/2026

Over the past few months, sustainability has become a quiet but deliberate focus at Ōhope Beach Medical Centre.

Rather than large-scale projects, the focus has been on practical, achievable changes that fit naturally into everyday healthcare.

Owner Jasper Heijtel said the process began with a simple question shared among the team: what can we do better, right now? From there, small ideas turned into meaningful action.

“One of the most noticeable changes has been a significant reduction in paper use.

“By reviewing long-standing processes and adjusting internal systems, the medical centre has reduced printing by approximately 60 percent.

“Moving to more digital workflows has helped minimise waste while also improving efficiency for staff and patients,” he said.

Waste reduction has extended beyond paper.

“Coffee cups are now recycled, and a dedicated collection point has been created for bottle lids, inhalers, plastic pill bottles, and aluminium lids, items commonly used in healthcare that often end up in landfill.

“Empty printer toner cartridges are also collected and recycled rather than disposed of, further reducing waste from day-to-day operations.”

Mr Heijtel said inhalers, in particular, presented a challenge because of the materials and propellants they contained.

“To address this, Ōhope Beach Medical Centre works closely with Adamsons Pharmacy to ensure used inhalers are collected and recycled responsibly through appropriate programmes, helping prevent them from entering general waste streams.”

The medical centre initiatives have been supported by Kate Lively from Waste Zero Whakatāne, who has provided guidance on recycling options and helped ensure materials are being handled responsibly and correctly.

Energy use has also been addressed through simple behaviour changes.

“By switching off computers and monitors when not in use, the medical centre has reduced its power consumption by around 15 percent,” he said. “These small daily actions have made a measurable difference over time.”

Sustainability has not been limited to the building itself. Several team members now regularly cycle to work, choosing bikes over cars, when possible, an approach that reflects both environmental awareness and personal wellbeing.

As the practice continues to grow and open for new patients, the team will soon be welcoming a new doctor, Dr Connie Vreugdenhil, who joins the medical centre next month.

Mr Heijtel said her arrival would ensure patients could continue to access timely care, with no wait times to see a GP.

He invites the community to support the centre’s efforts by using the in-centre recycling collection points for aluminium lids, plastic lids, empty plastic pill bottles, and inhalers.

12-Month Prescriptions – What This Means for You

The New Zealand government has announced that prescribers may, under certain conditions, write prescriptions for up to 12 months. This is aimed at making it easier for patients with stable, chronic conditions to access their medication and reduce unnecessary appointments.

This does not automatically mean everyone will receive a 12-month prescription. Whether it is appropriate and safe will always be assessed by your GP or Nurse Practitioner (NP) based on clinical judgment.

How We Will Handle This in Our Practice

At Ohope Beach Medical Centre, safe, personalized, and preventative care is our priority. Therefore, we follow a structured approach for managing medication.

Annual Medication (Wellbeing) Review

All patients on long-term medication will have an annual medication/wellbeing review. This appointment is now scheduled as a double-length consultation to ensure there is sufficient time to:

• Review medications for appropriateness and safety

• Check for any changes recommended by specialists

• Confirm blood tests, measurements, or immunisations are up-to-date

• Discuss overall wellbeing, including lifestyle and preventative health measures

For patients considering a 12-month prescription, this review allows us to determine safely if this option is suitable.

Less Frequent Repeat Prescription Requests (for Selected Patients)

For a carefully chosen group of patients, it is safe for them to:

• No longer request repeat prescriptions every 3 months

• Instead, receive a 12-month prescription with an annual clinical review

This does mean fewer repeat prescription consultations for the practice (and thus reduced revenue), but we consider this a responsible choice for patient convenience and appropriate care.

Important notes:

• Even with a 12-month prescription, pharmacies will usually dispense medication in 3-month supplies

• Clinical oversight by the practice remains in place

Who Can Qualify for a 12-Month Prescription?

A 12-month prescription is only possible if it is safe and clinically appropriate. Generally, patients must meet these criteria:

Stable, long-term medication No recent changes in dose or type of medication No frequent monitoring required (e.g., blood tests) Medication is clinically suitable for longer prescriptions Recent or planned review with a GP or NP

Controlled drugs (e.g., opioids or other strictly regulated medicines) are not eligible.

How and When This Will Be Introduced

The national system changes in early 2026. To avoid everyone requesting 12-month prescriptions at once:

• We are gradually discussing this with patients who may be eligible

• Patients will be invited to review this during their annual wellbeing appointment or in a separate consultation

• We will decide together if a 12-month prescription is suitable

Please do not automatically request a 12-month prescription; wait until we have discussed this with you or book a review with a GP or NP.

Why This Approach?

Longer prescriptions can be convenient, but quality care requires careful consideration. By:

• Providing annual, double-length comprehensive reviews

• Allowing sufficient appointment time

• Selecting appropriate patients carefully

We ensure convenience does not compromise safety, quality, or preventative care.

If you have any questions about your medication or want to know if this applies to you, please contact our practice.

Open for enrolments

We are currently OPEN for new registrations.

Enrolment is necessary to receive subsidies consultation. To enroll, you will need to complete a form, which also includes a transfer of notes request from your present GP. When enrolling, it is now a requirement to present your passport, or work permit, as proof of residency.

You may obtain and complete an enrolment form by visiting Ohope Beach Medical Centre where our friendly reception staff will be pleased to help you, or by filling in the online enrollment form. Open for enrolments

Upcoming Change to Repeat Script Reviews

From next year, the government is allowing some patients to receive a full 12-month prescription without needing to request scripts every 3 months.

At our practice, we support this for patients with stable, long-term conditions who have an agreed treatment plan and regular reviews. For these patients, it means fewer calls for repeat prescriptions and more convenience.

However, for some patients—such as those with complex or changing health needs, multiple medications, or where closer monitoring is needed—we believe it remains important to have a Repeat Script Review every 3 months with our nurse or clinical team. This helps us keep your treatment safe and up to date.

We will continue to discuss and agree on the best plan with you during your Annual Medication & Wellbeing Review.

Weight Loss Medication – We Are Here to Support You

If you're considering weight loss medication, you're not alone — and you don’t have to do it alone. At our clinic, we offer a supportive, personalised program that combines safe medical treatment with lifestyle coaching and holistic care. Whether it’s Duromine, Contrave, Saxenda or Wegovy, we’ll work with you to find the option that fits your needs. 

How to Start Your Journey 
Begin with a double appointment with one of our GPs or Nurse Practitioners. In this first consult, we’ll discuss your health goals, medical history, lifestyle, and the options that may be right for you. We’ll also organise any relevant blood tests or observations to safely guide your care. 

From there, we partner with you every step of the way — through regular check-ins with our team, including nurses, GPs, and our Health Improvement Practitioner. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports not just weight loss, but long-term wellbeing. 

Changes to Our Fees

We want to inform our patients that, due to ongoing financial pressures, we have made the difficult decision to increase our consultation fees. We understand this may cause frustration, and we are truly sorry for the impact this may have.

At Ohope Beach Medical Centre, we have always worked hard to keep our fees affordable. However, continued government underfunding has made this increasingly difficult.

You can view our updated fees on our website here: 👉 Updated Fees Overview

What If I Can’t Afford the New Fees?

Please don’t delay seeking medical care due to cost concerns. If the new fees are a barrier for you, talk to us. We can arrange payment plans to help ease the burden.

For urgent medical issues, you can always visit the Emergency Department at our local hospital, where care is provided free of charge.

2025 influenza Vaccination Program

We are excited to announce that the yearly flu vaccination program at Ohope Beach Medical Centre will begin on April 1, 2025.

Getting your flu vaccine is a vital step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from seasonal influenza. The vaccine is safe, effective, and a key measure to ensure your health and well-being during flu season.

Appointments are bookable online via ManageMyHealth* by selecting “Flu Clinic” as provider or by ringing reception on 07 312 5340 

**Casual patients are welcome, please advice reception.**

Click here for more information and available dates

Annual Medication & Wellbeing Reviews

We encourage all patients to have a yearly Medication & Wellbeing Review. It’s a chance to check in on your health, review your medications, and support your overall wellbeing.

You're always welcome to request repeat prescriptions without a review if you're feeling well and stable.

During your review, we'll go over your medications, discuss your health, and agree together on a treatment plan and future script schedule.

If you'd like to talk about a few other health concerns at the same time, we recommend booking a double appointment (30 minutes) so there’s enough time to cover everything properly.

You can order repeat scripts using:

• Manage My Health (MMH) portal

• Call our Script Line

• Or contact Reception