Koru Medical Clinic
Our clinic offers a variety of integrated and supportive therapies focusing on
holistic advice, preventative medicine and well-being.
Clinical Professional Dr. Simon Bristow will be retiring on the 31st of October, 2024.
Koru Medical Clinic will not continue to operate after this date.
Our Services
Wellness Checks
We aim to work alongside your normal healthcare providers.
About Us
Dr. Simon Bristow
Simon qualified in London in 1982. He worked overseas on the islands of St.Helena and Mustique for 6 years, before settling in General Practice in England for 8 years. He immigrated to New Zealand in 2001. Working initially in Morrinsville and then in Kerikeri from 2002. He designed and built the Kerimed surgery and has worked hard to provide high quality community medical care.
Working as a GP for 35 years has provided him a wealth of experience and knowledge. The pressure on services has frustrated him for many years, and the fact that many chronic conditions are not well treated within our standard medical practice. He has for many years searched for any alternative treatments for patients in his care, and supported them to cope with chronic problems. He is excited with the potential benefits of Intravenous Vitamin C, Cannabis related products {presently CBD} and other complimentary therapies for cancer treatment.
INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissues, the production of neurotransmitters, supporting the immune system and as an antioxidant.
Vitamin C has actions against infections and is consumed rapidly with infection present.
At the high doses achieved intravenously Vitamin C acts as a pro-oxidant, thought to produce Hydrogen Peroxide, which is thought to kill tumour cells.
When we are ill we use up our Vitamin C rapidly and often have an inadequate oral intake. We cannot produce our own Vitamin C. High doses intravenously can correct this effectively.
There is still a lot of debate about the benefits, but research shows results in certain health conditions:
- Infections
- Immune support
- Tissue damage and repair
- Cancers
CANNABIDIOL
There has been a resurgence of interest in the use of medicinal Cannabinoids over the last 20 years.
It seems as if this is something new, but this is only new in our lifetime.
Cannabinoids have been used medicinally for nearly 3000 years, initially in China, and then extensively all over the world.
Only banned as Cannabis became a “controlled drug” about 90 years ago!
Unfortunately all modern advances in drug development related to Cannabinoids was halted at this time, and has only resurfaced in the last 20 years since the discovery of our Endocannabinoid system {we produce Cannabinoids in our body}. This has legitimised research and development of Cannabinoid related treatments.
One of the most effective Cannabinoids is Cannabidiol {CBD} which has NO intoxicating effects {i.e. this is NOT “cannabis” and unrelated to recreational use of Cannabis or the argument for legalizing “cannabis}.
CBD is no longer a controlled drug; in fact is available over the counter in many countries worldwide.
In New Zealand CBD is an unapproved medicine available on prescription from any Doctor.
CBD has been used extensively for a variety of conditions, for example:
- Pain
- Anxiety and Depression
- Insomnia
- Migraine
- Epilepsy
- Relief of spasms in MS and other conditions
- IBS
- Chronic fatigue
Repurposed drugs for cancer (Metabolic oncology)
We support the use of a combination of drugs known to be safe, commonly used for other medical purposes, and known to have anti-cancer properties.
There is much research worldwide into this field of “repurposing existing drugs”. This is partly economical: due to the huge costs involved in research and developing new anti-cancer drugs, and the huge cost to health systems or patients.
These “repurposed drugs” are commonly being taken by patients already embarking on conventional cancer treatments and are safe to be used. They are given as an adjunctive therapy, not in place of standard treatments. In some cases of course, when there is no standard treatment option, these drugs may play a role in suppressing cancer growth.
There have already been promising trials, and we believe that all patients should at least be given the option to discuss adding this treatment to their standard treatment programmes.
Appointments and fees
Initial consultations would normally be between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the medical problem.
Follow up consultations are normally 15 – 20 minutes.
Intravenous Vitamin C usually requires 1 – 2 hours at the clinic.
*Repeat prescriptions $20
Please note that none of our services are government funded.
Our goal is to provide quality health care to all our patients in a timely manner. No-shows, late arrivals, and cancellations inconvenience not only our providers, but our other patients as well.
Please be aware of our policy regarding missed appointments.
Appointment Cancellation
When you book your appointment, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to our other patients. In order to be respectful of your fellow patients, please call or email our reception as soon as you know you will not be able to make your appointment.
If cancellation is necessary, we require that you call or email at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments are in high demand, and your advanced notice will allow another patient access to that appointment time.
How to Cancel Your Appointment
If you need to cancel your appointment, please call us at 09 407 4220 between the hours of 9am- 4pm. If necessary, you may leave a detailed voicemail message. We will return your call as soon as possible. Alternatively you can email us at reception@korumedical.co.nz.
Late Cancellations/No-Shows
A cancellation is considered late when the appointment is cancelled less than 24 hours before the appointed time. A no-show is when a patient misses an appointment without cancelling. In either case, we will charge the patient a $50 missed appointment fee.