Alexandra Family Medical

16/11/2025

12/11/2025

🏐 The Untouchables! 🏐

A big congratulations to our local netball team, The Untouchables, who finished 4th in their league after the final game last night! 🎉

What a great season of teamwork, sportsmanship, and plenty of laughs along the way. We’re proud to sponsor such an awesome group of players — you’ve done Alexandra proud! 💙

📸 Here they are looking sharp in their sponsor gear!

03/11/2025

🌈 Measles is circulating 🌈

💉 Two doses of the MMR vaccine protect 99% of people.
🆓 It’s free for everyone under 18, and for adults eligible for funded care.
👶 Born before 1969? You’re considered immune — no vaccine needed!

❓ Not sure if you’ve had both doses?
We can check your records and help you catch up.

🤒 If you have a fever and rash, please call us before coming in — measles spreads very easily.

30/10/2025

Feeling low or worried? You don’t have to face it alone.

Talking to someone can make a world of difference, whether it’s a friend, whānau member or a trained listener.

Sharing what’s on your mind can help lighten the load and open the door to support and understanding.

If you’re finding it hard to reach out, we’ve put together simple, practical ways to start the conversation and where to find help if you need it: https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/m/mental-health-talking-to-others

22/10/2025

🥩💪 Protein is Everywhere — But Do You Really Need More?

Walk down any supermarket aisle and you’ll see it — protein-fortified snack bars, cereals, pastas, even water. It’s easy to think more protein = better health. But is that really true?

For most healthy adults, the recommended amount of protein is 0.8–1 gram per kilogram of body weight each day. That’s about 55–70 grams for the average person — which most people already meet through normal meals.

👉 Who may need more?

Older adults

People recovering from surgery or illness

Those with frailty or muscle loss

👉 What are the risks of overdoing it?
Consistently eating too much protein — especially from red or processed meat — has been linked in large studies to:

Higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers

Weight gain, particularly in children

Strain on the kidneys for those with existing kidney concerns

In contrast, plant proteins (like beans, lentils, soy, nuts, and seeds) are linked with better long-term health — including lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.

✅ The takeaway:
Most people don’t need extra protein shakes or fortified foods. Instead, focus on balance — lean proteins, lots of vegetables, wholegrains, and fibre-rich foods. Your body (and kidneys!) will thank you.

Call now to connect with business.

19/10/2025

🦴 **World Osteoporosis Day — 20 October** 🦴

Did you know osteoporosis is often called the **“silent disease”**? It causes bones to become thinner and more fragile over time — many people don’t realise they’re affected until a fracture occurs. ([Bones][1])

This 20 October, let’s pause to think about **bone health at every age**. It’s never too early — or too late — to take steps to protect your bones.

**What can you do?**

* Ensure adequate **calcium and vitamin D** intake
* Do **weight-bearing and strength exercises**
* Avoid smoking and limit excessive alcohol
* Speak to your doctor about your **fracture risk**, especially if you've had a low-impact fracture

To learn more, check out these excellent resources:
🔗 Bone Health New Zealand https://www.bones.org.nz/
🔗 Royal Osteoporosis Society — Nutrition for Bones https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/nutrition-for-bones/

Let’s make bone health a priority — for ourselves, our families and our future independence. 💪 Come see your GP if you would like more information, or discuss about having a DEXA scan to check for osteoporosis.

Find out how eating and drinking the right things can help support your bone health at every stage of your life.

15/10/2025

🎃 What’s truly frightening this Halloween? 👻

🕷️ Skipping your annual skin checks.
☀️ Believing the “base tan” myth.
🙈 Thinking skin cancer won’t happen to you.

This Halloween (and upcoming summer) season, make the safe, smart choice:
✅ Protect your skin.
✅ Check it monthly.
✅ Book your skin check today.

📅 Free Skin Spot Check Day – Thursday, 31 October
💬 Book through reception 03/9016277
👩‍⚕️ Open to both enrolled and non-enrolled patients.

Save the scary stuff for Halloween — not your skin! 🎃

07/10/2025

💉 Are You Up to Date With Your Measles Vaccination?

With new measles cases recently confirmed in New Zealand — including in Queenstown — now is a good time to check whether you’re fully protected.

✅ If you were born before 1969, you’re considered immune (measles was widespread then).
💉 If you were born in 1969 or later, you should have had two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine recorded.

If you’re unsure or your records can’t be found, there’s no harm in getting an extra (third) dose — it’s safe and provides extra protection.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread quickly through our community, so ensuring full immunity is the best way to protect yourself, your whānau, and those around you.

If you’re not sure of your vaccination status, check with your GP or practice nurse — we can help you review your record and arrange a catch-up dose if needed.

Call now to connect with business.

06/10/2025

🌿 New Weight-Loss Medication Now Available: Wegovy

We’re receiving many questions about Wegovy, a new prescription-only weight-loss medication now available in New Zealand.

What is Wegovy?
Wegovy works by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) that helps regulate appetite. It helps you feel full sooner, reduces hunger and food cravings, and can support gradual, sustained weight loss.

However, Wegovy is not a quick fix.
It’s most effective when combined with a low-calorie, balanced diet, regular physical activity, and long-term lifestyle changes.
The best results come from a comprehensive plan — the medication supports your efforts, but doesn’t replace healthy habits.

Important notes:

Wegovy is available only on prescription.

It is not currently funded in New Zealand (self-funded cost).

It’s intended for long-term use in adults with:
• A BMI ≥ 30 (obesity), or
• A BMI ≥ 27 with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnoea.

If you’d like to learn whether Wegovy could be suitable for you, book an appointment with your GP to discuss your health goals and the best approach for safe, lasting weight management.

Call now to connect with business.

06/10/2025

Having trouble reaching us by phone? Here’s what might be happening 📱

We’ve heard from a few patients that they’ve had trouble calling our practice recently. Our phone system is working normally — but some mobile providers are currently phasing out their old 3G networks across New Zealand (including One NZ and others).

If your phone is an older model, or if it still relies on 3G for calls, you might have issues connecting to certain numbers — even when you still see “signal bars.” This is part of a nationwide 3G shutdown, with most networks moving fully to 4G and 5G.

✅ What you can do:
• Check that your phone settings are set to “4G/LTE” or “5G.”
• to check your phone - visit www.tcf.org.nz/3g.

05/10/2025

🩺 Bowel Screening Age Lowered – Starts This Week in Southern!

From this week, the National Bowel Screening Programme is expanding in our region.
The starting age is being lowered from 60 to 58 years — and the Southern region is first in New Zealand to make this change.

This means that if you’re turning 58, 59, or already in that age group, you’ll automatically receive a free bowel screening kit in the mail around your next birthday. You don’t need to do anything to enrol.

🧬 Why this matters:
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Aotearoa, but when found early, it’s very treatable.
Lowering the screening age will help detect more cancers earlier and save lives.

💡 What to expect:
• Eligible patients will be sent a screening kit by mail.
• Participation is free and simple to do at home.
• Your results are sent directly to you and your GP.

For more information, visit www.timetoscreen.nz/bowelscreening

02/10/2025

☀️ Free Skin Spot Check Thursday 30 October ☀️

This Melanoma Awareness Month, Alexandra Family Medical is offering a FREE skin spot check with skin cancer doctors Dr Joost Breuk and Dr Elvira de Jong. This is for anyone wanting a skin spot checked, not only our enrolled patients.

New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world — but early detection can save lives. 💛

👉 Book your free appointment now, 03/9016277
👉 Find resources and support at melanoma.org.nz

Family focused healthcare in a comfortable and private environment in Alexandra - See your own GP each visit- Now enrolling new patients