About Us
Looking for a great doctor in Christchurch?
Welcome to your Local GP Practice. At Village Health, 30 Lincoln Road, Spreydon, Christchurch and now at 35 Masefield Drive Rolleston, we’re proud to offer high-quality, patient-centered care for the whole whānau. Our friendly, experienced GPs, nurses and healthcare team are dedicated to supporting your health and wellbeing. And YES, we're taking new enrolments!
Our History
1950s
Lincoln Road Medical Practice and Village Health have an interesting history. In the 1950’s Dr Harry Crofts started his practice at the front of his house in Lyttleton Street but in the 1970’s Harry succumbs to his wife’s pressure to separate work and home-life and moves the family to a house up on Worsleys Road and the practice moves down to 92 Lincoln Road.
1988
In 1988 Dr Harry Crofts sadly dies suddenly of a stroke and his daughter, Dr Janine Close takes over his practice. Over the years the practice has seen Dr Paul Davies, Dr Wim Sheldon and Dr Sandra Fountain as well as several short and long term associates in the practice.
2014
In 2014 Dr Miriam Martin (sister of Janine and of course daughter of Harry Crofts as well) as Village Health buys the practice off Janine so she can take a long sabbatical. In 2014 Village Health buys several other practices to make a nice big happy family of about 4 doctors. All the patients are now served by the one entity and are able to choose the doctor they prefer within Village Health whilst the doctors can enjoy the benefits of working together in a team with other health professionals.
The practice is now updating to an “Integrated Family Health Centre” structure –a team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who work together to achieve the best patient outcomes. Village Health has added a physiotherapist, Dietitian and healthcare assistant into the mix.
2019
Village Health in 22 March 2019, moved into the purpose-built medical facility at 30 Lincoln Road. The new medical center has a more modern layout so we are better able to work as a team and provide you with better care. We welcome Unichem Pharmacy and Laser Podiatry to the building in conjunction with our Family Doctors and Dietitian services. We are extremely excited about our future and can’t wait to welcome new members of the community through our doors.
2026
In April 2026 Village Health opens its second site at 35 Masefield Drive, Rolleston. This is an exciting step in our journey.
Consistent Care You Can Trust
Seeing the same GP over time helps build a trusted relationship, leading to better understanding, more accurate care, and stronger long-term health outcomes for your family. Meet the Team.
Fast, Same-Day Access
At Village Health, same-day appointments mean your family can get care when it matters most - reducing delays, stress, and the need for after-hours services.
All-in-One Family Healthcare
With a wide range of services in one place, your family can access everything from children’s health to mental wellbeing - making healthcare simpler, more connected, and easier to manage.
Continuity of Care
Why Continuity of Care is Essential in General Practice.
Continuity of care is one of the most important aspects of effective healthcare in General Practice. It refers to an ongoing, long-term relationship between a patient and their GP, allowing for consistent management of health concerns over time. Research consistently demonstrates that continuity of care leads to better health outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Better Health Outcomes
A Norwegian study involving millions of patients found that individuals who consistently consulted the same GP experienced a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality over 15 years. These patients also had fewer hospital admissions and relied less on after-hours services. This underscores the critical role of sustained doctor-patient relationships in promoting long-term health.
Stronger Doctor-Patient Relationships
Trust is a key component of effective healthcare. A study of nearly 4,000 Norwegian primary care patients revealed that those with a personal patient-doctor relationship were seven times more likely to be satisfied with their consultations compared to those without continuity. A strong, long-term relationship between a GP and a patient encourages open communication, making it easier for patients to discuss symptoms, mental health concerns, or lifestyle issues.
Episodic Care and Its Limitations
While episodic care, where patients see different doctors for each visit, may work in some situations, it has been shown to have limitations in terms of health outcomes. Studies suggest that episodic care leads to poorer management of chronic conditions and less effective preventive care. For example, patients with diabetes who see the same doctor regularly experience better glucose control and fewer complications compared to those who see different providers for each visit. One study found that patients who saw multiple doctors for diabetes management had 33% higher rates of hospitalisation for complications than those who saw the same doctor consistently.
Episodic care often lacks the long-term perspective that continuity of care provides. A GP who sees a patient regularly is better equipped to understand their personal history, lifestyle, and ongoing health needs. In contrast, seeing different doctors can result in fragmented care, missed opportunities for early detection, and a less personalised approach to treatment.
More Efficient Healthcare
Continuity of care reduces unnecessary tests, repeated consultations, and fragmented treatment. Research analysing over 10 million consultations across 381 English GP practices over 11 years found that patients who saw their regular doctor waited 18% longer between visits, indicating better management of ongoing conditions. The study estimated that if all practices provided high continuity of care, it could lead to a 5% reduction in consultations, potentially saving millions of appointments annually.
How Village Health Prioritises Continuity of Care
At Village Health, we deeply value continuity of care. While we offer acute clinics and infectious disease clinics every day to accommodate urgent needs, we also ensure that each GP has on-the-day appointments available. We work hard to make sure that our patients are mostly seen by their own GP, who knows them best and can provide the most personalized and effective care.
In General Practice, continuity of care is not just about convenience—it’s a fundamental aspect of high-quality healthcare. It leads to better patient outcomes, stronger relationships, and a more efficient healthcare system. At Village Health, we remain committed to ensuring that our patients receive consistent, personalised care from the doctors who know them best.
Fast, Same-Day Access
At Village Health, same-day appointments mean your family can get care when it matters most, reducing delays, stress, and the need for after-hours services, at both locations.
Consistent Care You Can Trust
Seeing the same GP over time helps build a trusted relationship, leading to better understanding, more accurate care, and stronger long-term health outcomes for your family.
All-in-One Family Healthcare
With a wide range of services in one place, your family can access everything from children’s health to mental wellbeing, making healthcare simpler, more connected, and easier to manage.
