Looking after our health is one of the most important things in life, whether for ourselves or our families. Wherever we look, in newspapers and glossy magazines, health is a major topic, discussing what we eat, what we drink, exercise and almost every aspect of life. But do you know what part of health is rarely discussed? Choosing your doctor.

Having a doctor that you are comfortable with and trust is really important, because we all know that if there is an excuse to be made to avoid seeing the doctor, most of us will grab onto it with both hands and never let go. The question is, for those of us in South Auckland, how do we find the best doctor?

When looking for a Botany GP, avoid simply sticking with the practice nearest to you, look at other aspects of the doctor’s practice and then make a choice. The first choice is to ensure that the Botany doctor covers the kind of treatment you need. For instance, if they are a family focused practice if you have children, or who can manage and specialized health care that you may have. Once you have a list of suitable doctors within practical travelling distance, you can think about other aspects of medical care that are important.

Because you may be discussing very personal issues with your South Auckland Doctor, it is crucial that you feel comfortable talking to them. If you are too embarrassed or nervous to explain things, that can hinder your GP from helping you effectively. This means thinking about the type of person your doctor should be.

For instance, many of us prefer to see a doctor of the same sex as we are. This doesn’t apply to everyone of course, but if you find yourself being more comfortable talking to a member of the same sex, then that should be included when making your choice.

But while that can narrow down the choice of GP South Auckland, you may still find a doctor of the same sex who you just don’t feel comfortable with. The only way to find out is to talk to the doctor before registering with them.

Make an appointment and see how it goes. Now, a non-registered patient visit may cost a little more, but you may need to talk to two or three doctors before finding one that you feel comfortable with. Doing this before registering saves a lot of hassle, it can take a while for your medical records to be transferred to a new practice, so you don’t want to be registering and unregistering at several doctors in quick succession.

In Botany Urgent Care we care about our patients and value your time. That is why we’re open 7 days a week and have extended opening hours from 8am to 8pm.

Remember, your GP is not just a source of medical care, they are someone who you will build a relationship, who can understand your problems and help you through difficult times. Finding a doctor who you can trust to be that part of your life is well worth the effort.