GP Central

03/02/2026

📢 Changes to Prescription Lengths – from February 2026

From February 2026, new regulations mean GPs in New Zealand can prescribe some medicines for up to 12 months.

However, it’s important to know that longer prescriptions are not suitable for everyone.

🔍 What this means for patients:

12-month prescriptions will only be appropriate for a small number of people

Many medications still require regular review, monitoring, or blood tests

Some medicines (including controlled drugs) cannot be prescribed for 12 months

🩺 Prescription length will always depend on:

Your medical condition

The medication you are taking

How stable your treatment is

What is safest and best practice for your care

Even if you meet general criteria, the final decision rests with your GP’s clinical judgement, made with your health and safety in mind.

📅 What to do next
At your next appointment, please discuss with your GP what prescription length is most appropriate for you.

Thank you for your understanding and for working with us to ensure safe, high-quality care.

— GP Central

03/02/2026

🌿 Waitangi Day – Clinic Closure Notice 🌿

In recognition of Waitangi Day, both GP Central clinics will be closed:

📅 Friday 6 February 2026
📍 Stoddard Road & Dominion Road

🗓 Saturday Clinic
❌ Closed on Saturday 7 February 2026

✅ Both clinics reopen on Monday 9 February 2026

If you need urgent medical advice while we are closed, please contact Healthline on 0800 611 116, or attend your nearest urgent care clinic.

We acknowledge Waitangi Day as an important time to reflect on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our shared commitment to care, equity, and community wellbeing.

Ngā mihi,
GP Central

03/02/2026

🌿 GP Central Walking Groups – Building Health Together 🌿

Our GP Central walking groups are going strong, and it’s been wonderful to see patients connecting, moving, and supporting each other in such a positive way.

🕘 When we walk:

Mondays: 10:00 – 11:00

Tuesdays: 9:30 – 10:30 (photo from our Tuesday group)

These groups are about gentle movement, wellbeing, and community — all at a pace that’s welcoming and inclusive.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us today and kindly consented to us sharing this moment. 💙
If you’re interested in joining a future walk, please speak with our team.

22/01/2026

📌 Auckland Anniversary Day – Practice Closed

Please note that GP Central (Stoddard Road & Dominion Road) will be closed on Monday, 26 January 2026 for Auckland Anniversary Day.

🔔 What to do if you need care while we’re closed:
• For urgent medical issues, please visit your nearest urgent care clinic or emergency department
• You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak with a registered nurse 24/7
• In an emergency, dial 111

We will reopen as usual on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you enjoy the long weekend.

Your GP Central Team 💙

16/01/2026

📣 Welcome Brighde – Our New Health Improvement Practitioner

We’re delighted to welcome Brighde, our new Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP), to the GP Central team 💙

Brighde is a qualified and experienced mental health professional who works with people of all ages to support emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour change.

🧠 How Brighde can help
She offers brief, focused sessions (20–30 minutes) to help when you’re feeling:

Stressed or overwhelmed

Anxious or low in mood

Struggling with work or relationship stress

Having trouble with sleep, parenting, or substance use

Going through change, loss, or feeling “stuck”

Sessions are practical and supportive, focusing on strategies and tools you can use straight away. If more support is needed, she can help with referrals to counselling services.

💰 All appointments are FREE

📅 Availability

Monday–Thursday: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Friday: 8:30am – 3:00pm

📞 How to book
You can be referred by your GP, book through reception, or book online. Often, Brighde can see patients on the same day as a GP appointment.

We’re excited to have Brighde on board and look forward to the positive impact she’ll have for our patients and community 🌱

23/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from the team at GP Central 🎄

The team at GP Central would like to wish all our patients and whānau a very Merry Christmas and a safe, relaxing holiday season.

Just a quick reminder of our hours over the next few days:

🏥 Clinic Hours
• Christmas Eve (today): Closing early at 5:00pm
• Christmas Day & Boxing Day: Closed

🎆 Between Christmas & New Year
• Mon 29 – Wed 31 Dec: Limited / urgent appointments only
– Stoddard Road open (closes 5:00pm)
– Dominion Road closed

📅 Regular hours resume from Monday 5 January

🚑 If you need urgent care while we’re closed
• White Cross or your local urgent care clinic
• Healthline 0800 611 116 (free 24/7 nurse advice)

Thank you for your continued support this year — we look forward to caring for you in 2026 💙

18/12/2025

Awanui Labs Holiday Opening Hours (Christmas & New Year 2025–26)

As the festive season approaches, please note that Awanui Labs collection centres will be operating on reduced or altered hours over the Christmas and New Year period.

If you need a blood test or pathology service over the holiday period, please check the official Awanui Labs festive hours PDF or visit their website to confirm your local collection centre’s hours:
👉 https://www.awanuilabs.co.nz/north/auckland/2025/12/04/festive-season-opening-hours/

Planning ahead for any tests ensures you’re not caught out by closures or limited hours.

Some of our collection centres are closed during the festive season and others are operating reduced hours. Please find details of all collection centre opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period below. NOTE: Collection centres may also have altered hours during the January. Normal opening...

12/11/2025

🎄 GP Central Holiday Hours (Dec 2025 – Jan 2026) 🎆

Kia ora whānau! As we head into the festive season, here are our holiday hours so you can plan ahead for your healthcare needs.

🏥 Stoddard Road & Dominion Road Clinics

Mon 15 – Tue 23 Dec: Regular hours
Wed 24 Dec (Christmas Eve): Closing early at 5pm (both clinics)
Thu 25 – Fri 26 Dec (Christmas & Boxing Day): Closed
Sat 27 – Sun 28 Dec: Closed (weekend)

✨ Between Christmas & New Year
Mon 29 – Wed 31 Dec: Limited/urgent appointments — closing 5pm at Stoddard Road only
Dominion Road closed these days

🎆 New Year
Thu 1 – Fri 2 Jan (New Year’s Day & Day After): Closed
Sat 3 – Sun 4 Jan: Closed (weekend)
From Mon 5 Jan: Regular hours resume at Stoddard Road & Dominion Road

📝 Helpful Reminders
✅ Please book follow-ups and repeat prescriptions early to stay covered over the break.
✅ While we’re closed, urgent care is available via:

White Cross / local urgent care clinics

Healthline 0800 611 116 (free 24/7 nurse advice)

05/11/2025

How to Check Your MMR Record in My Indici

You can view your immunisation record anytime in My Indici.

📱 Open the My Indici app or log in on desktop
🩺 Tap Immunisation (syringe icon)
🔍 Scroll to find MMR – Measles, Mumps & Rubella
✅ If you see two doses given after 12 months of age, you are protected

If your record is missing or unclear, please message our nurses via My Indici rather than phoning — it helps keep the lines free and speeds up replies.

Not yet on My Indici?
👉 Ask our reception team or visit https://www.gpcentral.co.nz/services/
to sign up — it’s the easiest way to see your results, prescriptions and vaccinations anytime.

05/11/2025

Protect Yourself from Measles – Check Your MMR Vaccination

Measles is spreading in Aotearoa New Zealand. The MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting you and your whānau.

✅ If you were born before 1969, you’re likely already immune — no need to worry.
✅ If you were born in 1969 or after, please check your vaccination record:
• My Indici → Immunisation tab
• Your Well Child/Plunket Book
• The My Health Record website https://my.health.nz/

If there’s no MMR record or you’re unsure, please message our nurses via the portal or email nurse@gpcentral.co.nz
/ ☎ 09 621 0387 (press 2).

If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor before vaccination.

Ngā mihi,
The GP Central Team

(💡 You can check your MMR record in My Indici — see our next post for how to find it!)

Get your personal health information in one place with My Health Record. Immunisation records, COVID-19 test results, and report COVID-19 RAT results.

01/11/2025

🌈 Measles is spreading in Aotearoa NZ – here’s what you need to know 🌈

Dr Mamaeroa David shares some key tips to help protect yourself and your whānau:

✅ Check recent locations of interest: spr.ly/61837DF7Z

✅ Check your immunisation status: spr.ly/61847DF7w

✅ If you’re not protected, get immunised!
You need two doses of the MMR vaccine after 12 months of age.
If you’re unsure, it’s safe for most people to get another dose.
Book online at spr.ly/61857DF7b
or contact us at GP Central 09 6210387 to book your MMR vaccination.

🤧 Symptoms of measles:
Starts like a cold – cough, runny nose, sore red eyes – followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body.
See examples of measles rash here: spr.ly/61867DF7j

‼️ Why it matters:
Measles is very contagious and can cause serious complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, or hearing loss.
During NZ’s 2019 outbreak, 1 in 3 people with measles needed hospital care.
Children, especially those under 12 months, are most at risk — protecting them means getting everyone else immunised.

☎️ If you think you might have measles:
Call Healthline 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7) before visiting a clinic. They’ll advise what to do next.

If you have any questions about the MMR vaccine, talk to your GP Central team or call the Vaccination Helpline 0800 28 29 26.

Kia mataara, kia haumaru te noho e te whānau — stay alert and stay safe 💙

01/11/2025

🩺 Protect Yourself from Measles Before You Travel! ✈⛴

Are you heading overseas soon? Many popular destinations—including Australia, the US, Canada and parts of Asia — are experiencing active measles outbreaks. Here in New Zealand, cases have recently been reported in Northland, Auckland, Manawatū and Nelson.

We strongly encourage you to check your vaccination status before you travel. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is your best protection—and it’s free for eligible people in New Zealand.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious health problems. Unvaccinated travellers risk bringing measles back home and spreading it further.

Before you pack your bags, get protected!

Find the latest advice at safetravel.govt.nz/