At Little London Medical, we pride ourselves on being a registered charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to providing personalised healthcare services for everyone remains unchanged, even as we navigate these challenging times.
Due to the ongoing economic climate and the longstanding underfunding of primary care, we have recently had to make the difficult decision to adjust our consultation fees. For most patients aged 14 and over, this will mean an increase of $2 to $7. Please rest assured, however, that consultations for children aged 0 to 13 will remain free, and there will be no fee change for adults with Community Services Cards. These adjustments align with recommendations made by the Government / Health New Zealand after they declined to increase primary care funding to sustainable levels in July 2024. Many practices across Hamilton are making similar changes.
We understand how difficult these times are for everyone, and we are doing everything in our power to keep our fees as reasonable as possible. Like many businesses, we’ve experienced rising costs from our suppliers. Combined with government funding covering only 65% of our operating expenses, this has made our operating budget very tight. This fee adjustment, along with cost-saving measures within our clinic, will allow us to continue providing the high-quality care you expect from us.
As a reminder, all consultation fees cover appointments of up to 15 minutes, which has been the standard GP consultation time across New Zealand. We recommend focusing on one main issue or reviewing your regular medications during this time. To make the most of your appointment, we suggest preparing ahead - reviewing your test results (available through ManageMyHealth if you’re registered) and writing down any questions or concerns.
If you have multiple issues to discuss, we encourage you to book a 30-minute appointment, allowing your GP the time to thoroughly address everything. Please note that appointments longer than 15 minutes will incur a higher fee, which you can find detailed on our website: littlelondonmedicalclinic.nz/fees
If you have any questions, our reception team is here to help. We remain deeply committed to your health and well-being and will continue to provide the compassionate, personalised care you deserve.
Thank you for your understanding and continued trust in us. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us: manager@llmc.co.nz
Ngaa mihi / Yours faithfully,
The Team at Little London Medical