Medical Centre

Feeling a wee bit stuck? Access and Choice offer FREE wellbeing support for West Otago Health patients. Providing 30minute appointments to help you make decisions and set realistic goals about your health and wellbeing. Health Improvement Practitioner may support you to think more positively, sleep better or work with you to better manage anxiety and stress. We work with you in support of low mood, grief, and loss or to change habits that are negatively affecting you. These sessions are not counselling though we can support you to access this. Lyn is available most Wednesdays to have a relaxed chat with you. Health Coach/Community Support Worker may help you gain self-management skills for conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol or physical health struggles. We can provide tips for a healthier lifestyle and help you navigate and engage in services in your community and work with you to achieve your health and wellbeing goals.

Acute care is available during the day and after hours. This can range from suturing small to moderate wounds, to acute medical events like asthma attacks, heart attacks and more. Our local doctor and nurses are Primary Response In Medical Emergencies (PRIME) trained and are experienced in this field. We have a helipad at our medical centre for those occasions when we need to airlift patients to Dunedin Hospital.

The District Nurse provides nursing care out and about in the community and at the surgery for chronic care/ wound care and other services. Learn more >

At West Otago Medical Centre, we offer a range of minor surgical procedures to address common health concerns. These include the removal of skin lesions such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and moles. We also provide the insertion and removal of Jadelle implants (the contraceptive rods), as well as partial nail resections for treating ingrown toenails. In addition, we perform steroid injections for joint pain and inflammation, where appropriate, to help improve mobility and comfort. Our skilled team ensures that all procedures are carried out with care and precision in a comfortable and safe environment. Our Doctor, Fons Captijn, has recently qualified with Advanced Clinical Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery, and Advanced Clinical Certificate of Dermoscopy, through the Skin Cancer College of Australasia.

Gore Physio visits Tapanui on a weekly basis on Tuesdays and the occasional Thursday. They work in conjunction with our medical team. Visit Gore Physio >

We offer a comprehensive range of vaccinations with expert advice to help protect your health. This includes the National Vaccination Program for both children and adults, as well as travel vaccinations to keep you safe while abroad. We also provide seasonal flu vaccines, shingles vaccinations, ensuring that you and your family receive the necessary protection throughout life. Our team is here to guide you in making informed choices about the best vaccination options for your needs.