Head Injuries

A head injury is when a bump or impact causes your brain to shake inside your skull. The delicate brain tissue can get bruised if you fall, hit, or bump your head. Next, bleeding may start, causing the brain to swell.
Eastcare Accident Emergency Services

Have a life threatening emergency?PHONE 111

What are the types of head injury?

Common causes of head injury are sports injuries and accidents on bikes, motorcycles and cars. However, fights and domestic violence can also cause brain injury.

A concussion is a term usually used to describe a mild head injury. However, no injury to the head is ever to be taken lightly. After any bump to the head, it is important that the injured person is not left alone and their condition is monitored. Sometimes brain injury symptoms do not show up for hours, even up to 48 hours following an injury, as the brain may slowly swell.
 

What type of head injury can cause injury to your brain?

Furthermore, major fall or serious knock to the head is called a traumatic head or brain injury. If someone is knocked out or has lost consciousness, it is possible that they have a fractured skull. It could also cause a serious brain injury. So, early first aid treatment of a head injury is required to prevent possible permanent brain damage.

Common symptoms of a head injury to watch out for

Someone becoming unconscious is the most important symptom to be aware of.  Immediate emergency medical care is needed if someone:

  • loses consciousness even briefly,
  • complains of neck pain
  • is unable to move limbs.
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Unequal pupils 
  • Call 111, and do not move them.

When to come to Urgent Care for a Head Injury

Come to East Care Urgent Care clinic for any of the following symptoms. Our team will assess the severity and plan treatment of a head injury.

  • Appearing dazed or unable to remember things before or immediately after the injury
  • Increasing confusion or irritability
  • Vomiting
  • Problems with eyes, blurred or double vision
  • Severe or increasing headache
  • Behaviour changes
  • Sleepiness
  • Slurred speech

First aid treatment for a mild head injury

A small bump to the head can be monitored at home with proper first aid.

  1. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to the injured area 
  2. Ensure you rest. However, do not go to sleep for four hours following the injury 
  3. Stay hydrated. Drink clear fluids to prevent vomiting and avoid alcohol 
  4. Take paracetamol for discomfort, but not anything stronger 
  5. A normal night’s sleep is needed, but it is important that someone is with you for the first 48 hours. You should be woken every two hours to check that you wake easily and are orientated to time and place
  6. Ensure that any headache is not getting worse
  7. Remember, do not drive ever a motor vehicle with a head injury.

When to come to Urgent Care for treatment with a mild head injury:

If you or the person looking after you is worried, it is best to come to East Care Urgent Care for an assessment. Prompt care ensures any damage to your brain is diagnosed and treated.
 

Watch out for any signs of delayed concussion

  • a headache getting worse
  • vomiting
  • visual disturbances
  • drowsiness
  • irritability
Moreover, we’ll also arrange your ACC forms when you see our team at our urgent care clinic.  Sometimes following a head injury, ongoing rehabilitation is required. Rest assured, we’ll refer you to the correct service. 
East Care Health Medical Centre urgent care Fees

How to contact us

  • Address: 260 Botany Road, Howick 2013, Auckland
  • Postal: PO Box 38306, Howick 2145, Auckland

Complementary onsite services

At our Botany Road premises, we offer a number of onsite services including a Pharmacy and Radiology to ensure your visit to the Centre is as stress free as possible.

Health care professionals providing advance care plans

Frequently asked questions

To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:

  • NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
  • International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration

On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.

Yes. As part of completing your enrollment, we request that you have a new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members.

This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing.

Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.

The length of your first appointment with your new doctor will be as follows:

Age Screening appointment GP appointment Total
0-13 yrs - 15 minutes
Free
15 minutes
Free
13-17 yrs - 15 minutes
$13.00
15 minutes
$13.00
18-39 yrs 15 minutes
$10.00
15 minutes*
$19.50
30 minutes
$29.50
40+ yrs 15 minutes
$10.00
30 minutes
$39.00
45 minutes
$49.00

* Note: if you have a chronic condition, please make a booking for 30 minutes.

Payment is required at the time of consultation

You will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your screening appointment.

Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.

There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials

We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.

If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.

All consultations are by appointment only.

Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Please give us call on (09) 265 1325 or send us an email at info@ormistonmedical.co.nz, and we can set up your account.

We recommend that you plan ahead and request your repeat medicines via your patient portal My Indici two weeks before you run out. If you do not have access to a portal, you can phone us and leave a message with the nurse to organise this. Our doctors use an electronic prescribing system which can send your prescription to your local pharmacy (please specify name and location).
Under 14 years free
14-17 years $14
18+ years $16
Urgent prescription $27.50
The results of tests that have been ordered by our Doctors will be available on My Indici when they have been reviewed. If your test results are of concern you will be contacted by one of our team.

We are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.

For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.

These are consultation prices only.

Under 14 Years - Free 14 - 17 years - $14 18 years & over - $16

Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.

We understand that things can change on the day, but we ask that you call us to advise that you are not able to make your appointment. If we do not hear from you minimum 2 hours prior to your scheduled time, you will receive an invoice for this missed appointment.