21 December 2021
Mihi mai ki a Melanie Carlson who moved to Murupara from Dunedin in 2004, leaving behind her childhood GP, Dr Ruth Barnett.
“I thought I’d never be able to replace Dr Barnett who made me feel comfortable and safe - qualities that are important to me.”
With a smile on her lips, Mel says that was until she met a husband and wife general practitioner duo from the Murupara Medical Centre which Mel says provides affordable and exceptional health care.
“From my first consultation when I enrolled there, I felt comfortable and safe in their ability to look after me. They had seen it all. From cuts, bumps, dislocations, cancerous cells, thyroid disease, cellulitis, asthma, dog bites, motorbike falls as well as sore throats and chickenpox. Dr Conlon knows my children and they look up to him.”
Mel is thankful for the surgery and reminisces about an emergency call she had to make for her husband.
“I’d hate to imagine what I would have done if I hadn’t made that 5 am emergency call to Dr Conlon. I was in despair.”
Shaking off the cobwebs of her memory, she fast-forwards the conversation.
“Six years on from that phone call, I’m humbled to now work as the manager of the local pharmacy and to provide the follow-up service for Dr Conlon and the surgery. I’m yet to stumble across any other GP or healthcare provider like the team at the Murupara Medical Centre. They’re committed to providing the best care possible. Our frontline medical team have sacrificed Christmas holidays, family getaways, birthdays, anniversaries and more for our communities of Te Ika Whenua. Thank you to the Conlon whānau and the staff at the surgery, you are the heart that keeps our communities beating.”
One phrase that comes to Mel’s mind when thinking of Dr Conlon and his wife, Dr Britta Noske and the work they do is:
“It’s never for applause, it is for the cause. We send our love and gratitude to you our amazing doctors, aroha tino nui (lots of love) from the Carlson-Meihana whānau. We support you always,” says Mel.
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