We have tried to hold off from increasing our fees as we know households are struggling at the moment with the increased cost of living. We understand, this increase will only make healthcare more unaffordable and more inequitable.

However, with government funding increasing at only 4% in the last year, and our costs having risen more than 9% this last 12 months alone, we have been left with no other choice.

We have warned the government on multiple occasions that if they didn’t increase funding levels, we would have to increase fees to help cover our costs or we would have to close the practice. Frustratingly, our warnings have been disregarded.

Please know this is the last resort, and is not a decision we have taken lightly, as we truly understand the impact this will have on whānau.

We strongly encourage you to write to the Minister of  Health, Dr Shane Reti, along with your local MP (available via the links   below), expressing your dismay at the increase in fees and outlining the impact the increase will have on you and your whānau.

Letter - option 1
Letter - option 2
List of Auckland MPs' email addresses.

From Tuesday 13 August, our fees will be:

· Children under 14 - stays free

· 14 - 17 years old - stays $13

· Adults 18+ - now $29.50 for non-CSC holders

· CSC rates will remain at $19.50.

You may be eligible for a Community Services Card (CSC), which would mean your fees would stay at $19.50. Visit the Work and Income website for more information about eligibility, how the card can help, and how to apply.

Team Updates

In early August we will be bidding farewell to Dr Rohit Singla.

For those of you who have seen Dr Rohit as your doctor, you can continue your ongoing care with one of our other experienced clinicians. Just select another GP when booking your next appointment via MyIndici or give our friendly reception team a call on (09) 550 2146 next time you need an appointment, and we will help match you with another GP.

A reminder that if you need an appointment or to talk to a GP when we are unable to see you, you might like to use CareHQ. This is a trusted online GP consultation service, where real doctors can be accessed via your smartphone, tablet or computer.

For more information visit www.carehq.co.nz or call our reception team who will be happy to help you.