Welcome to Witako
Skin Clinic
Our highly trained team is here to help you with care and advice around skin cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment as well as a range of minor surgery and other treatments.
Phone: 04 9200 870
Email: specialistreception@ropata.net.nz
We offer a professional and friendly service with low waiting times and competitive pricing with no need for a referral from your General Practitioner.
So if you’ve been putting off that skin check, or been meaning to get a mole checked, come on in and see us – we’d love to see you.
Who are we?
Dr Sonja Bodley (she/her)
MB ChB FRNCZGP
Dr Bodley is a Specialist GP with a special interest in skin cancer medicine and surgery and
has practiced almost exclusively in this area for the last 6 years.
Sonja graduated from Otago University in 2001 and after various surgical jobs including
rotations through plastic surgery she entered General practice training. She gained Fellowship to the College of GPs in 2016. She has undertaken further training with the Skin Cancer College of Australasia and has a passion for sun safety education – especially in children/rangitahi.
As part of her ongoing commitment to skin cancer/melanoma education and prevention –
Sonja sits on the board of Melanoma New Zealand as a trustee.
Dr Bodley will be offering minor surgery to patients at the clinic.
Dr George Karageorge (he/him)
BSc MB ChB FRNZCGP
Dr Karageorge graduated from the University of Otago in 2007 and then spent the next 3 years in various hospital jobs in Australia and New Zealand. George completed General Practice training in 2014 and holds Fellowship with the Royal New Zealand College of GPs. He has undertaken further training with and has accreditation with the Skin Cancer College of Australasia.
Dr Karageorge offers mole and full body skin checks using a dermatoscope to allow earlier diagnosis of malignant skin lesions.
Dr Karageorge will be offering skin/mole checks as well as some surgery.
How can we help you?
We can provide you with the following services. This list is not exhaustive so If you don’t see what you need here – please give us a call.
- Spot checks/specific lesion checks
- Full body clinical skin checks
- Surgical and non-surgical skin cancer management
- Post melanoma surveillance
- Minor surgery for – lipomas, cysts and other benign skin lesions/conditions
- Onward referral if required
We do not offer appearance medicine at this time (wrinkle relaxers, fillers, laser treatments etc)
FAQ
No – you can book directly with us without a referral from your GP. Our reception team will ask some basic questions about what you need when you book.
Having a referral from your GP can help us decide how quickly we need to see you if you have a specific concern though. We will advise you when you call us what is most appropriate for you.
No. You will need to come in person to your appointment. At times we may call you to discuss results or make arrangements but all skin checks are done the old fashioned way!
Give us a call 04 9200 870 or email specialistreception@ropata.net.nz.
All referrals can be emailed to us at specialistreception@ropata.net.nz.
Now accepting E-Referrals via Specialist Referral Portal.
This really depends on a number of things – what the lesion is thought to be, its size and location etc.
Sometimes a consult may not be required, but sometimes for planning and safety we may ask you to come in to see us prior to any surgery being planned. This visit will incur a charge separate to any surgery that may be required.
The vast majority of skin cancers are treated with surgical removal – however there are some pre -cancers/cancers that can be treated with various topical treatments.
We will advise you on what’s most appropriate for you at your consultation.
There is no simple one size fits all answer here as a lot of different factors need to be taken into account.
At your consult you will be given an estimate of the cost involved – this will be as accurate as we can make it.
Download our privacy policy.
No. We advise that you leave your underwear on during a skin check and we will work around this as well as using sheets/gowns to keep all but what we are looking at covered.
We do ask that you not have a spray tan or makeup/nail polish on at your appointment as it does make checking the skin harder.
If you have something to check underneath your underwear – just let us know and we would be happy to check this for you.
We totally understand that you may feel a little apprehensive about your appointment – just remember that we see bodies of all shapes and sizes and everyone is welcome and will be treated with the utmost respect. Yes you are welcome to bring a support person to your consult but we ask that you limit this to one person and follow all covid precautions.
You may be able to bring a support person to your surgery – but this will need to be discussed with staff prior.
Everybody has the right to access healthcare that is appropriate for them and we will do our very best to accommodate your needs. Please let us know prior to your appointment if there is anything specific that you need or want to discuss.
For those with physical disabilities – our building is fully accessible for those with mobility aids.
If you require interpreting services please let us know when booking so we can arrange this for you.
This really depends on your insurance provider and your policy, we advise that you check before your appointment as we do expect payment in full on the day. We are happy to provide you full receipts etc to use for claiming back.
No. Both our doctors are Specialist General Practitioners who have undertaken further training in skin cancer medicine and surgery.
Dermatologists are doctors who have undertaken specialist training in all things skin. If our doctors think a dermatologists opinion is needed we are happy to refer you to one.
“Mole mapping” or total body photography generally refers to taking specific photos of the skin/specific lesions and following them over time. We can take images of lesions we are concerned about and follow them in the short term but we do not provide full body or long term mapping services.
We are happy to discuss this process with you and if we think it would be right for you, but at the end of the day it’s your choice if you want to use this kind of service.