New Partnership for practice

Cambridge Street Medical Centre is under a new partnership.

The Cambridge Street Medical Centre practice in Levin is under a new partnership promising continuity of care for its patients.

Doctors Kirsten Sauermann and Bente Ongkiehong will be familiar faces to a number of residents, and are known to their patients as Dr Kirsten and Dr Bente.

Dr Kirsten, who also has a PhD in medical sciences, was a practicing GP in Horowhenua for five years before selling her Queen Street surgery two years ago, returning to her native Germany for family reasons.

She said a private practice helps create a better environment for long-term continuity of care for patients.

"I saw the high need for GPs in Levin, especially after the sad death of Dr Sigera," she said.
Sri Lankan-born Dr Sanjay Sigera moved to New Zealand in 2011 to become Shannon's first fulltime GP, working at practices in Levin for the past two years when he died in August this year after contracting pneumonia.

Dr Bente, originating from Holland, has been a locum in in Levin and Foxton since 2009, including four months at the Cambridge Street practice with Dr Sigera just before his death.

"I saw the need for the practice to continue but on my own it was not viable. We were just about to close for good when Kirsten walked in the door suggesting we open a practice together."

She said it's important people have a doctor they can trust and who knows their family history.

The doctors will provide the same integrated care as any health centre. Dr Bente's specialty is female health, Dr Kirsten's surgery and ultrasound.

The partnership became official on September 5.

The Centre has about 1500 patients enrolled and is enrolling new patients every day.

Dr Kirsten said they are also hoping to work more closely with other GPs, providing emergency cover for each other's practices and provide cover at the Horowhenua Health Centre after-hours clinic.

"We want to make Levin a healthier environment and help to attract more doctors to the region, especially with more people moving here," said Dr Bente.

MidCentral District Health Board member Lindsay Burnell worked to get Central PHO on board to help with funding, and said it is a global problem attracting doctors to small or rural towns so it was doubly exciting to have two 'new' doctors in fulltime practice in Levin.

"I feel very pleased for the district that we have got these two wonderful doctors who want to live and work here. We want to grow health services in Horowhenua. Dialysis treatment will be starting soon at the Horowhenua Health Centre, but it all starts with having the right staff," he said.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy helped support Dr Kirsten's return, and said it was great to have her back.

"The sudden death of Dr Sigera was a real shock and left a big hole in our community.

Local people will be relieved that Central PHO has worked to bring her back and I wish her all the best in providing important front-line health services in our community."