KEY POINTS:
A one-man medical practice in East Tamaki has grown into a 12-clinic business employing 42 doctors, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Dr Kantilal Patel.
Dr Patel has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to community medicine and the Indian community.
From his first day in the South Auckland practice in 1977, Dr Patel could see a need for quality healthcare in that community. The watchword, then as now, was "access".
"In the early days, I made time for home visits, and made sure that patients had access to me. Relationships improved, facilities improved, and a fee structure was set up so that people were not discouraged from coming in," he said.
Satellite clinics were established so patients did not have to travel as far, hours were extended and accident and emergency facilities were added to some clinics.
East Tamaki Healthcare was the first mainstream non-ethnic Primary Health Organisation in South Auckland, and is now the largest healthcare provider for Maori and Pacific Island people in the country.
Dr Patel was made a fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners in 1998. Under his guidance, seven GPs at his clinics have also become fellows of the college.
Wife Ranjna has also been awarded a QSM in the New Year Honours, for services to the Indian community.
Mrs Patel is a JP and has worked as practice manager at East Tamaki Healthcare for over 30 years.
She has a very deep involvement with Indian community groups, including women's groups, healthcare concerns and cultural and language assistance.
