Kaipara Medical Centre

Māori Language Week is running from 16 -23 September this year! This week is a great opportunity to highlight Māori health and the importance of it in Aotearoa, including information on Māori health services, Māori wellbeing and much more.

For more information on Māori Health, check out the link below.

https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/m/maori-health-topics/

Kia ora Koutou.
We are very excited to announce that Dr Tomos Longworth is making a return to Kaipara Medical Centre on 7th October 2024. Tomos is a GP Fellow with over a decade of experience as a GP and in urgent care across West Auckland, Tomos is all set to bring his wealth of knowledge and expertise back to our community.

Vitamin D plays an important role in our bodies, but have you ever wondered how we get it from the sun or what it does for us?

Check out the following link for information on Vitamin D including how it helps keep us healthy and how long you need outside to get enough of it.

Vitamin D Vitamin D is made in our bodies when the sun shines on our skin.

If you or someone in your whānau is looking to quit smoking, this Daffodil Day is a great time to get started and lower your risk of more than ten different types of cancers. Ready, Steady, Quit is available to support you on your quit smoking journey!

Check out their page by clicking the link above, head to their website at https://readysteadyquit.org.nz/ or call on 0800 500 601.

Did you know that smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers? Lung cancer is just one of more than ten cancers that smokers are at an increased risk of developing.

This Daffodil Day is the perfect time to lower your cancer risks and start your quit smoking journey!

Get in touch with us today by calling on 0800 500 601, or emailing us at [email protected].

There are lots of different illnesses and sicknesses doing the rounds at the moment. This can sometimes make it difficult to figure out what your symptoms might mean, or what illness your children may have.

For a guide on some of the common illnesses and symptoms, check out the link below. As always, if symptoms become serious or you are worried about yourself or a child, contact your GP.

Winter infection topics | Healthify Learn about common winter infections and how to prevent and treat them. Stay healthy this winter with our comprehensive information for all the whānau.

Unfortunately, due to a shortage of Government funding, our fees will be increasing from today, Tuesday 13 August.

We strongly encourage you to write to the Minister of Health, Dr Shane Reti, along with your local MP (letters are available via the link below), expressing your dismay at the increase in fees and outlining the impact the increase will have on you and your whānau.

We have warned the government on multiple occasions that if they didn’t increase funding levels, we would have to increase fees to help cover our costs or we would have to close the practice. Frustratingly, our warnings have been disregarded.

Please know this is the last resort, and is not a decision we have taken lightly, as we truly understand the impact this will have on whānau.

Unavoidable fees increase It is with regret that from Tuesday 13 August, we will have to increase the fees we charge you, our patients.

It is with regret that from Tuesday 13 August, we will have to increase the fees we charge you, our patients.

Our updated fees will be as follows:

Children under 14 - remains free
14-17 years old - remains $13
Adults 18+ - now $29.50 for non-CSC holders
CSC rates will remain at $19.50.

For more information on why we have had to make these fees changes, please check out the link below.

Unavoidable fees increase It is with regret that from Tuesday 13 August, we will have to increase the fees we charge you, our patients.

Good morning just a reminder the chair fitness class is on today at 1pm Rata Street St John’s 👌

MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST

Part-time, 18hrs per week for a 1year fixed term maternity cover.

Kaipara Medical Centre is looking for a part time Medical Receptionist to join our very busy medical centre in Helensville. This will be 18hrs per week Wednesday to Friday. Flexibility to pick up additional hours for short notice cover and leave would be an advantage.

This is a fast-paced position and requires exceptional multi-tasking, telephone, and people skills, and we would ideally like someone with experience in a Medical Centre. Although full training will be available to a suitable applicant without experience. If you are a fast learner, work well under pressure, computer literate and have exceptional face to face customer service, then this might the be the opportunity for you.

If this role is of interest to you, please send your CV and covering letter to Avalon Stevenson [email protected] or 09 4208400 to ask any confidential questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our first Chair Fitness Class with Health Coach Roz was a success!!

Next class will be Wednesday 24 July 1 PM 7 Rata Street St John’s please call the clinic to register your interest 👌

Kia ora koutou community.

Unfortunately the works on the carpark area around Kaipara Medical has resulted in a cut fibre cable, and the temporary loss of our internet and phone lines. We are working on finding a solution, and apologies for any inconvenience. Our team will be on site until we close at 5pm, but our services will be limited.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Helensville District Health Trust is resurfacing the carpark outside Kaipara Medical Centre.

This will impact the Kaipara Medical Centre carparks which will be unavailable from today, Monday 24 June until Tuesday 2 July, meaning that street parking is the only alternate option.

Please note that the thoroughfare will still be available if you need to be dropped to the door, and the disabled carpark outside the telehealth pod will still be available.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our reception team on 09 420 8400 or email [email protected].

Men's Health Week runs from 10-16 June and is a week to highlight and promote the importance of men’s heath in New Zealand. The aim of the week is to get men more aware of their own health and to begin taking small steps to improve their wellbeing.
To find out more about men’s health week and the health issues facing men in Aotearoa, click the link below.
https://www.kaiparamedicalcentre.co.nz/news/mens-health-week/

Today marks World Smokefree Day, and is also known around the world as World No To***co Day. Celebrated on this date each year, this day aims to raise awareness and help New Zealand build towards being smokefree by 2025 and continuing to highlight the health benefits of not smoking.

If you or someone you know needs a hand with their quit smoking journey, head to Ready Steady Quit for more information.

Smokefree May is happening this month, building up to World Smokefree Day on 31 May!
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in New Zealand. For more information on smoking, the health risks and resources on how to quit, check out Ready, Steady, Quit or head to the link below:

https://www.kaiparamedicalcentre.co.nz/news/smokefree-may/

For many, having a cigarette feels like a mini escape from everything.

You can keep those 5-minute holidays but let’s turn it into something better for you!

How about giving some of these ideas a go?

Today we are recognising . 1 in 8 Kiwis live with a respiratory disease, and 98 people die from asthma each year. That’s nearly 2 people each week.

The more we educate our community, train our health professionals, and support whānau living with asthma, the bigger the difference we can make to our improving these statistics.

For some great resources on how to manage your asthma, check out the resources page on the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation website. https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/resources

Arthritis simply means ‘inflammation of a joint’.

It is a condition that can affect people of any age, but it is more common as you get older. Any joint can suffer from arthritis but some of the common ones include your knee, hip and spine, along with fingers and toes. Arthritis typically shows as pain and stiffness in the joints, but there are things you can do to manage the condition.

To read more about arthritis, click below.

Arthritis Arthritis simply means ‘inflammation of a joint’.

Lest we forget.

The 2024 flu vaccination season is here!

We are offering a walk-in flu clinic service every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout April, between 9am -2pm. No appointment is needed, just turn up and speak to reception.

You can also come along to our weekend walk-in clinic on Saturday 6 April, 8.30am-12pm to get your flu vaccine.

The vaccine is available to adults and children aged six months and older. Casual patients are welcome!

For more information on who is eligible for a free flu vaccine, click the link below. For patients who are not eligible for a free vaccine the cost is $35, enrolled or casual.

https://admin.helensvilledistricthealthtrust.co.nz/index.php?cID=579

Thank you - Kaipara Medical Centre 09 420 8400

Drumroll please...

We have a winner!

Congrats Nikau! 👏 👏👏
We have your prize waiting for you to collect.

We had some amazing colouring going on from all our entries! Thank you for participating.

Over Easter, we will be closed from Good Friday through to Easter Monday.

We will be back to business as usual on Tuesday 2 April.

Have a great long weekend.

There has been a significant increase in cryptosporidium cases in New Zealand recently. Check out the info below about what crypto is, and how to protect yourself from catching it.

Cryptosporidiosis is on the rise | Healthify Cryptosporidium (commonly called crypto) is a parasite found in the gut of infected people and animals. It is on the rise in Aotearoa but good health hygiene can help protect you.

☆ International women's day ☆

We currently have a children's colouring competition running for our enrolled patient population.

Please pop in and grab an entry form from our friendly reception team.

The prize has been kindly donated from Helensville Unichem Pharmacy and includes a soft toy dog, colouring pencils, frog money box, sunglasses, a beanie and a drink bottle.

Winner will be announced 22nd March on our page.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, dedicated to highlighting this complex and often misunderstood condition.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, leading to chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and fertility challenges.

This condition affects millions of women worldwide, yet diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. Let's use this month to educate ourselves and others about endometriosis, advocate for improved care, and support those living with this chronic illness.

Check out Endometriosis New Zealand for more information about endo, along with events you can attend this month to raise money and awareness https://nzendo.org.nz/nzendo-events/

If you haven't already, meet Rob Vallom, our very own Health Improvement Practitioner. Rob is available to help enrolled patients at Kaipara Medical for a range of concerns.

If you want to book in a free session with Rob, please call our reception team on 09 420 8400

February Health Update:

Enrolled patients can join us for free Blood Pressure checks every Thursday this February, from 9 am to 4 pm. No appointments needed – just drop by!

Remember, we're also providing Free Heart Health checks for eligible patients this month. Refer to our previous post for details.

Our Health Coach, Roz, has kicked off her weekly walking group. Interested? Contact the reception for more information and available spaces.

Don't miss the LARC clinic this Thursday, February 18th, with Dr. Kathryn Elcock. Limited spaces available – call us to secure your spot.

A reminder that Kaipara Medical Centre is continuing to run a daily care clinic on weekdays between 9am – 3pm for enrolled patients who require a same day appointment with a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.

If you have any questions, please contact our friendly reception team on 09 420 8400.

February is Heart Health Awareness Month in New Zealand.

There are plenty of things we can all do to lower our risk of developing coronary heart disease, which will contribute to living a healthy life and keeping one of our most important organs safe and well.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Our diet can be a major factor in the health of our heart. One of the main things to watch out for is foods that are high in saturated fat, as too much of this will increase the levels of bad cholesterol in your blood. Foods high in saturated fat include meat pies, butter, cakes, and biscuits.

Keep yourself at a healthy weight.
Excess weight can lead to fatty materials building up in your arteries. If the arteries that carry blood to your heart get damaged and blocked, this can potentially lead to a heart attack.

Make sure you do regular exercise.
Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the best way of maintaining a healthy weight, which in turn lowers your chances of developing high blood pressure. The heart is a muscle like any other, and benefits from exercise. A strong, healthy heart can move blood around the body with less effort.

Quit smoking.
Not smoking reduces the chances of developing coronary heart disease. This is because smoking is a major contributor to atherosclerosis, which is a thickening or hardening of the arteries. This makes it harder for blood to move through them and increases the chances of a blood clot forming, which can lead to a heart attack.

Get your heart checked.
A heart check is a great way to find out your risk of a heart attack or a stroke, and we invite our enrolled patients to get these checks done at Kaipara Medical Centre. We can assess your risk of a stroke or heart attack and recommend things to improve if your risks are too high.

The Heart Foundation also provides a free, online heart health assessment to give an indication of your heart health, which can be found here: https://myheartcheck.org.nz/

Use these tips to improve the health of your heart this Heart Health Awareness Month, or if your heart is healthy already, keep it happily beating for a long time to come.