Alexandra Family Medical

14/12/2025

Festive Season Hours

Open
• Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th December 2025
• Monday 29th – Wednesday 31st December 2025

Closed
• Thursday 25th – Friday 26th December 2025
• Thursday 1st – Friday 2nd January 2026

We will return to normal operating hours from Monday 5th January 2026.
We are closed on weekends.

08/12/2025

✨ Our new website is live! ✨

We’ve given www.alexfamilymed.co.nz a fresh new look — clearer, brighter, and much easier to navigate.
Whether you’re checking services, meeting our team, or looking up useful patient info, everything is now simpler to find and nicer to use.

Take a look and let us know what you think!
We’re excited to keep improving and supporting our Alexandra community.

This consists of an experienced & specialist team of General Practitioners, & Registered Nurses. Supported by an excellent Admin team including Reception, Admin & Accounts, who work from the Central Lodge historical building, by the bridge in Alexandra, providing professional healthcare to you and y...

03/12/2025

💉 Measles Protection Reminder

With measles circulating again in NZ, it’s a good time to check your immunity.

To be protected, you need two doses of the MMR vaccine.
If you’re born before 1969, you’re considered immune because measles circulated widely before vaccination.

If you’re unsure of your immunisation history, or your child’s, contact us—we can help you check your records or arrange vaccination.

Staying up to date with MMR is the best defence against outbreaks and protects our whole community.

Five new measles cases have been confirmed today – one in Dunedin, three in Auckland and one in Waikato. The number of known measles cases nationally since 8 October is now 27.

📍 Check the Locations of Interest page and follow public health advice: http://spr.ly/61897v6H1
🛑 Measles spreads *very easily*. If you're feeling unwell, stay home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
💙 Immunisation is your best protection. Two doses of the MMR vaccine protect 99% of people.
🔵 Booking options for getting a vaccine can be found on this page: info.health.nz/immunisations/booking-a-vaccine

✅ No appointment? No problem! Many clinics and some pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations.

🔍 Symptoms to watch for: high fever / cough, runny nose, sore red eyes / rash starting on the face, spreading down the body.

📞 Suspect measles? If you plan to visit a doctor's clinic, or urgent care, please make sure you call ahead before visiting. This enables the clinic to prepare and take the right precautions to protect others from catching measles.

More info: http://spr.ly/61887v6HE

30/11/2025

🎄 Holiday Reminder: Check Your Medications Now 🎄

The Christmas and New Year period is coming up quickly, and many pharmacies and clinics will have limited hours.
Now is a great time to check whether you have enough of your regular medications to last through the holidays.

If you’re running low, or if your prescription is due soon, please arrange a repeat before the break so you don’t get caught out.

✔️ Check your repeat prescriptions
✔️ Confirm you have enough inhalers, insulin, or other long-term medications

If you need a repeat or have any concerns, give us a call — we’re here to help.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year! 🎁✨

Call now to connect with business.

18/11/2025

🌸 Contraception & the Perimenopause – What You Need to Know 🌸

Many women are surprised to hear that pregnancy is still possible during the perimenopause. Even though cycles may be changing, and fertility naturally declines, it doesn’t fall to zero until well into the 50s.

If you’re in your 40s or early 50s, and your periods are becoming irregular, it’s still important to think about reliable contraception—especially if a pregnancy would be unwelcome or unexpected.

A few key points:

✨ You need contraception for 12 months after your last period if you’re 50 or older.
✨ If your last period was before 50, contraception is needed for 24 months.
✨ At 55, contraception can generally be stopped.
✨ Hormone therapy (HRT/MHT) helps with symptoms but does NOT prevent pregnancy.
✨ There are many safe options, including the Mirena, copper IUD, POP (“mini pill”), condoms, or in some cases vasectomy.

If you’re unsure what’s right for you, or have questions about symptoms, bleeding changes, or hormone therapy, we’re always happy to discuss this with you.

Your health, your choices — we’re here to help you navigate this transition with confidence. 💛

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! 🎃