NEUROLOGY

NEUROLOGY

What is Neurology?

Neurology is the study of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves), how it controls various parts of the body and the diseases and disorders that may affect it. A medical specialist in this field is a neurologist.

Eleven neurologists are in private practice at Auckland Medical Specialists. These neurologists consult with patients aged 16 years or over. Dr Rakesh Patel, a paediatric neurologist, will consult with children and teenagers up to the age of 18 years old if they are still at school. Dr Alison Charleston is a neurologist and geriatrician and will see patients over 65years of age.


REFERRAL EXPECTATIONS

Your GP will refer you to see a neurologist if they think you have a problem that involves the nervous system and needs specialist help in diagnosing or treating the condition.

The neurologist will take a history of your symptoms as well as a review of any medications you are on (please bring the list with you). The neurologist may also review any previous records and previous problems you have had.

There may be an examination of the nervous system and sometimes a general physical examination. A neurological examination may include testing your memory and concentration as well as other aspects of thinking processes. It may also involve examining how well the nerves in your head and body are working.

The neurologist will discuss with you the possible diagnosis and what further tests or treatments are recommended. They will correspond with your GP about your diagnosis, results of tests and a treatment plan.

booking an appointment

If you have been advised by your GP to see a neurologist please call us on 09 638 9945 to book an appointment. If you wish to been seen as an ACC patient, please refer to the section on this website - Information for GPs.

If English is not your first language and you have difficulty understanding or communicating in English please bring an interpreter with you or someone who can speak and understand English on your behalf.

Once you have an appointment, you will be sent two text-to-remind messages - the first one 7 days prior to your appointment and the second one 48 hours before the appointment. Please call us if you wish to cancel or change your appointment. Where possible we ask for at least 48 hours notice for any changes or cancellations.

Charges

• Southern Cross Health Insurance Patients:
  Most of the neurologists at Auckland Medical Specialists are Affiliated Providers with Southern Cross. Please let us know if you wish to be seen by an Affiliated Provider when booking your appointment. We also ask that you have your membership number handy at the time of booking so that we can apply for Prior Approval with Southern Cross prior your appointment.
  

• All other health insurance patients:
  We require you to pay in full at the time of your consultation and will issue you with a receipt which you can use to claim back from your insurance company.
  

• ACC patients:
  Please refer to the section on this website - Information for GPs - for information regarding ACC referrals.
  

• All other patients:
  Payment is required in full at the time of the consultation. We accept cash, cheques, eftpos cards, Visa, Mastercard and AMEX. 

Consultants

There are 11 Neurologists at Auckland Medical Specialists.
Head to our “Consultants” page to read more about each specialist.