Women's Health
Specialised GP Service
Shorter waiting times
More cost-effective alternative to a specialist appointment
find out more
by
Women's Health Specialised GP Consult Service.
about our
ERH Associates GPs are trained by supported by our Endocrinologist team to provide an equivalent more cost-effective option for menopause and PMS/PMDD consults, usually with a shorter waiting time to the appointment than seeing a specialist.
* for high-risk medical issues or refractory symptoms you may be directed to book an endocrinologist appointment
Self Refer
Dr Paula West
Paula graduated from The Auckland University School of Medicine, and in her post-graduate training received the Primex Award from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners for achieving the highest marks overall in the General Practice clinical and written exams in 2009.
Paula went on to become an experienced General Practitioner with a special interest Women’s Health
and an accredited GP trainer and an examiner for the Royal New Zealand College of GPs.
Paula believes in building a trusting therapeutic relationship with her patients, founded on careful listening, effective communication, and empathy.
Paula aims to practice high-quality evidence-based medicine whilst maintaining an awareness of the wider influences of social, occupational and psychological wellbeing on the overall health of women.
Interesting facts:
Paula is an accomplished classical guitarist and an avid sports fan who enjoys time with her family and friends, time at the beach, swimming, fishing, golfing, and walking the family dog.
BSc, BHB, MBChB, MSc,
PGDipPaeds, FRNZCGP
Dr Anna Twhigg
Anna studied at the University of Otago Medical School, and subsequently completed her General Practice Fellowship and a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of Auckland.
Anna is an experienced Women's Health-Specialised GP with over 25 years of clinical experience in General Practice prior to joining the ERH Associates team in 2024.
Anna brings her experience in providing continuity of care for women through the important life stages of adolescence, pregnancy and childbirth, and the menopausal transition.
Anna believes that an important role for healthcare professionals is sharing knowledge that is easy to understand and empowers people shape their own wellbeing.
Interesting facts:
Anna is embracing her own menopause by regularly going off grid to Great Barrier Island, a remote haven where the beach feels crowded if someone is within a 5km radius. She hopes to awaken a belated artistic talent - to make art, design jewellery or write a children’s book …or at least bake a cake?
MBChB , PGDipObs, FRNZCGP
I look forward to meeting you and working with you to develop a personalised approach to your health and wellbeing journey.
Meet the Womens Health GPs
I want to help women to see menopause as an opportunity to welcome their new freedom, to explore personal interests and to pass on their wisdom.
Our Womens Health GP service may be right for you
You have menopause or PMS symptoms
You want a sooner appointment than our endocrinologists have
Don't have high-risk factors for taking hormone therapy
if:
Don't have insurance cover for a specialist appointment/want a more cost-effective option
What to expect during your
Womens Health Specialised GP Appointments
Initial appointments are booked to be up to 50 – 60 minutes long. During this time your doctor will:
1. Take your medical history
2. Review all medications
3. Examine you as appropriate
There may be some more investigations requested. If it is possible your doctor will discuss a diagnosis, treatment plan and start treatment.
All cases will be reviewed by the supervising endocrinologist. This review may be by discussion before or after the appointment or your endocrinologist may come into the appointment and talk to you directly.
It is helpful for you to fill in the endocrine/GP questionnaire and return it prior to the appointment. This should provide a list of your medications. Bring the results of all scans you have had done recently and letters from any other specialists you have seen.
A follow up appointment will be booked to review investigation results and start or review a treatment plan.
Follow up appointments will be a maximum of 30 minutes.
Charges:
First appointment: $495.00 (up to 1 hour)
Follow up appointment: $250.00 (up to 30 minutes)
Short appointment: $100.00 (up to 15 minutes)
Email advice: $55.00
Prescription charge: $41.00
*The Women's Health GP service does not take the place of your usual GP who will remain your primary healthcare provider and will continue care for all other health concerns.
* for high-risk medical issues or refractory symptoms you may be directed to book an endocrinologist appointment
How to get an appointment
Ask your doctor to send a referral to the Womens Health GPs at ERH Associates
EDI: Hormones
Our Women’s Health GPs offer comprehensive appointments (up to 1 hour for first appointments, and up to 30 minutes for follow-ups) for patients seeking care for female endocrine/hormone concerns.
We are now accepting referrals for:
Menopause
PMS/PMDD
Self Referrals
For other hormonal issues (e.g. PCOS, irregular periods, thyroid issues), we still require a doctor’s referral so that we can ensure the appointment will be likely to be helpful and that we have essential information ahead of time.
Our experienced GPs are trained and supported by our Endocrinologist team, regularly review cases in collaboration with our endocrinologists, and can request an endocrinologist to join your appointment if needed. This integrated approach ensures high-quality, personalised care.
Endocrinologist appointments are still by referral.
Endocrinologist appointments are still by referral only
consultation Costs
Women's Health GP Service
Appointment TYpe:
Duration:
Appointment Fee:
Initial GP appointment
45-60 minutes
$495 total (includes booking fee and the remaining balance)
Follow-Up GP appointment
15-30 minutes
$250
Southern Cross:
While Southern Cross does not directly fund these appointments, you may be able to claim a portion of the consultation fee back if your policy includes GP coverage. Please check your specific policy details.
Other Insurance Providers:
Coverage under most other policies requires a dual consultation with an endocrinologist. This ensures the appointment meets eligibility criteria for reimbursement.
Insurance Note:
Dual Consultation TYpe:
Duration:
Dual Consult Fee:
Initial Dual appointment
45-60 minutes
$610 total (includes booking fee and the remaining balance)
Follow Up Dual Appointment
15-30 minutes
$340
booking fee
Women's Health GP Service
To confirm your upcoming appointment, we require a $250.00 booking fee for your first appointment. This fee secures your appointment time and covers the cost of late cancellations or non-attendance.
Please note the following:
• The $250.00 fee is non-refundable if the appointment is cancelled with less than 4 working days' before your appointment notice or in the case of a "no-show" (being uncontactable for a phone consult; you are welcome to request a face to face appointment be converted to phone if you are unwell or otherwise unable to attend in person on the day of your appointment)
• If you attend your appointment as scheduled, the $250 booking fee will be credited toward your total consultation fee.
• Appointments will only be confirmed once proof of payment has been received.
• Your appointment slot will be held for 48 hours after we have confirmed a suitable appointment time. If payment is not received within that timeframe, we may need to offer the slot to another patient.
If you would like to proceed with your self referral you can complete our forms below:
Self- refer here
Referrals and Self-Referrals
Our Women’s Health GPs can help with a range of concerns under the guidance of our endocrinologists — including PCOS, thyroid issues, PMS, and menopause care.
🔹 For conditions like PCOS and thyroid disorders and other issues other than menopause or PMS/PMDD, we still recommend a referral from your usual doctor if possible, as this ensures we have all the relevant background information to provide you with the best care.
🔹 For perimenopause/menopause PMS and PMDD, because diagnosis is mainly on the basis of symptoms, many women already have a good sense of what they’re experiencing — so we now accept self-referrals for these issues.
👉 If you are self-referring:
Please complete our onboarding forms — including the registration and health questionnaire. These will automatically be sent to our referrals team at referrals@erhassociates.co.nz for triaging.