Stonefields Medical Centre

12/11/2025

🎄 Repeat Prescriptions over the Christmas and New Year Holiday Period🎄
As the festive season approaches, we want to make sure all our patients have enough medication to last over the Christmas and New Year break.
If you take regular prescriptions, please check your supplies and arrange a repeat prescription with us in plenty of time. This helps avoid running out while we are closed.
📅 Our clinic will be closed from 12 Noon on Wednesday 24th December 2025 and will reopen at 8.30 am on Monday 5th January 2026.
Plan ahead, stay well, and enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!

12/11/2025

Join Our Health & Wellbeing Groups!
We’re proud to offer a range of friendly, supportive groups run by our Health Improvement Practitioner, Michelle and our Health Coach, Laura to help you stay active, connected, and well.

🏃‍♀️ Walking Group – Enjoy fresh air and gentle exercise while connecting with others. With Laura - every Monday between 11.00-12.00 noon.
🧘 Mindfulness Group – Learn simple techniques to manage stress and support emotional wellbeing. With Michelle - last Thursday of every month between 11.00-12.00 noon.
☕ 65+ Coffee Group – A relaxed social catch-up for our older patients to share conversation and friendship. With Michelle - second Thursday of every month between 11.00-12.00 noon.
💙 Carer Group – A safe, understanding space for carers to connect, share experiences, and access support. Call to speak with Michelle who will provide more details.
All groups are inclusive, welcoming, and designed to nurture your health and wellbeing.
To find out more or to join, please speak to reception or Michelle and Laura – we’d love to see you there!

03/11/2025

November is Diabetes Action Month – a time to raise awareness, take action, and support those living with diabetes. Small changes, like staying active, eating well, and getting regular check-ups, can make a big difference in preventing and managing this condition. Let’s use this month to learn, share, and encourage healthy habits in our community! Want to chat with our Health Coach, Laura who can help and encourage a healthy lifestyle change - call reception to book in: 09 320 0168

02/11/2025

⚠️ Measles is circulating in Aotearoa ⚠️
Two doses of the measles vaccine protect about 99% of people. The vaccine is free for under-18s and for adults eligible for funded care.
Not sure if you’ve had two doses? We can check your records and help you catch up if needed.
Important:
If you have a fever AND a rash (or think you might have measles), do NOT enter the practice. Measles is highly contagious.

📞 Call us first from outside on 09 320 0168. We will make a safe plan to see you while protecting our clinicians and other patients.
Thank you for helping keep our community safe! 🙏

29/10/2025

It’s almost Movember! 🧔💙
This month we’re raising awareness for men’s health — from mental wellbeing to prostate and testicular cancer.
Movember is a great reminder for men to check in on their health and their mates. A quick chat or a simple check-up can make a big difference.
If you have any concerns or just want to book a routine health check with your GP, or want to book in with our Health Improvement Practitioner, Michelle for a free chat, our team is here to help.
Let’s start the conversation and look after our men this Movember!
https://nz.movember.com/

08/10/2025

How does our Acute "Cabin" On-the-Day Clinic operate:
🩺 NEED TO BE SEEN ON THE DAY?
📅 Appointments open daily after 8:30am and can only be booked on the day.
📞 Call the practice to book — same-day only
We offer 8–10 appointments each day for patients who need to be seen urgently with short-term or contagious illnesses.
________________________________________
For symptoms such as:
• Coughs, colds, sore throats
• Ear, nose, or throat infections
• Eye infections
• Fevers, stomach upsets, or vomiting
________________________________________
Why use the Acute Cabin?
✅ Same-day access for acute illness
✅ Reduces the need for A&M or online providers
✅ Keeps infectious patients separate
✅ Safe and efficient service from your regular team
________________________________________
⚠️ Please note:
Demand for these appointments is high, and we may not always be able to accommodate everyone — but we do our very best each day to help as many patients as possible.
💙 Thank you for helping us keep our community well.

02/10/2025

Screening Age Lowered to 58 from 6/10/25 as part of the National Bowel Screening Programme:
The age at which people can start taking part in the free National Bowel Screening Programme is being lowered from 60 to 58 years of age. Currently, people can have free bowel screening from the age of 60 to 74. Lowering the age to 58 means that at least 122,000 more people will be eligible for screening over the first year. Lowering the age to 58 will take place in two stages. The first stage will start from 6 October 2025 in the Northern region and Te Waipounamu (South Island), and the second stage will begin in March 2026 in the remaining North Island regions of Midland and Central. People turning 58 or 59, or who are already 58 or 59, don’t need to do anything. They will be mailed their bowel screening kit around their next birthday or be contacted by a local health provider, once age extension is introduced in their area. People who are 59 will receive a kit around their 60th birthday as part of the existing programme, whether or not the lower age range is available in their area yet. Bowel screening aims to save lives by helping find bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated. There may be no warning signs that someone has bowel cancer. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world – bowel cancer is our second highest cause of cancer death.

23/09/2025

🌿 Mental Health Awareness Week | October 6–12

Let’s celebrate our wellbeing together at Stonefields!
Research shows there are five simple things you can do daily — at work and at home — to build resilience, boost your wellbeing, and lower your risk of developing mental health problems. These are known internationally as the Five Ways to Wellbeing:
🌟 The Five Ways to Wellbeing:
• Connect 🤝 Strengthen relationships and feel close to others — at work and beyond.
• Be Active 🏃‍♀️ Movement improves mood, reduces stress, and supports mental health.
• Keep Learning 📚 Stay curious and seek new experiences to stimulate your brain.
• Give 🎁 Acts of kindness — big or small — increase happiness and life satisfaction.
• Take Notice 🌅 Tune into the present moment and appreciate the world around you.
💡 The Five Ways in Action:
• Connect with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
• Keep Learning — try something new or take on a fresh challenge.
• Be Active — walk, garden, play, or simply step outside.
• Give — thank someone, help a teammate, or volunteer.
• Take Notice — savour the moment, notice the seasons, reflect on the unusual.
💚 Wellness Support Available
You can book a free Wellness Check with our Health Improvement Practitioner Michelle and our Health Coach Laura. Let’s support each other and make wellbeing a shared priority. Call our Reception Team to book your appointment with Michelle or Laura: 09 320 0168

09/09/2025

🌿 Join Stonefields Medical Centre Walking Group, led by our fantastic Health Coach, Laura! 🌿
Want to get moving, meet new people, and enjoy some fresh air? Come along and join our friendly walking group!
📍 Meet at: 11.00 am Outside the Clinic Foyer in front of the elevator
🕒 When: Every Monday FROM Monday 22nd September 11.00am-12.00pm
👟 Bring: Your Consent Form(you can collect this from reception before your walk), walking shoes, a water bottle, hat, sunscreen
😊 Who: Registered patients of our practice – all ages, all fitness levels
It’s a relaxed, social walk – no pressure, just a chance to stretch your legs, have a chat, and feel good.
Let’s walk, talk, and enjoy the journey together 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

06/08/2025

Introducing your new Health Coach:
Kia ora, my name is Laura Lee, I am a Health Coach at Stonesfield Medical Centre.
I support patients in gaining knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to become active participants in making positive lifestyle changes to improve their health and wellbeing. I work collaboratively with patients in creating a plan towards their self-identified health goals, providing care, support and encouragement.
Whether you’re managing existing long-term conditions, preventing illnesses, or improving overall wellbeing. I can help you with:
• Managing conditions like prediabetes / diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Helping you understand your condition
• Eating habits
• Exercise
• Weight management
• Being smokefree, reducing smoking or va**ng
• Connecting you with a community social and culture support worker
My journey to Health Coaching comes from a background in business operations and leadership, working with people, and helping them thrive. I have a strong knowledge in exercise physiology and healthy eating.
Beyond the clinic, you will find me at the beach in the surf, playing tennis, yoga, boxing, cooking delicious food, and volunteering in the community. Please speak to your GP, our nursing team or reception to book in your FREE appointment with Laura on a Monday.

01/07/2025

Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora launched an online 24/7 telemedicine service to help improve access to primary medical care for people who are not enrolled, unable to get a timely appointment, or need support after hours. Fees will be subsidised for children, young people and people who hold a Community Services Card.

This service compliments the Urgent and After-hours Framework by providing 24/7 access to video consultations with registered New Zealand GPs, Nurse Practitioners, and Emergency Medicine doctors. Like other urgent and after-hours services, this is designed to complement, not replace traditional general practice.
The eight approved online providers funded through this programme are:
▪ Bettr Online: www.bettr.co.nz
• CareHQ: www.carehq.co.nz
• Emergency Consult: www.emergencyconsult.co.nz
• MedOnline: www.medonline.co.nz
• Pocket Lab: www.pocketlab.nz
• Practice Plus www.practiceplus.nz
• Tend: www.tend.nz
• The Doctors Online: www.thedoctorsonline.co.nz

Fees are subsidised for children under 14, young people 14-17, and people who hold a Community Services Card (CSC).
If you choose to access this service for your after-hours needs the provider will confirm the cost when you book the appointment via their website.
Find out more at: https://info.health.nz/services-support/online-phone-healthcare/online-gp-care

08/06/2025

Men’s Health Week
This week is Men’s Health Week – a great opportunity to pause and reflect on your own health and wellbeing.
Whether it’s booking that overdue health appointment, starting a new healthy habit, or simply taking a moment to reflect on your wellbeing – small steps can make a big difference.
It’s also a great time to encourage the men in your life – friends, family, and colleagues – to do the same. The Men's Health Week website has a range of useful information and resources for you to check out as well, including:
• The What’s Your Score? Test, a quick health survey that could provide some helpful tips
• An introduction to key health issues for guys, available on their health information pages.
https://menshealthweek.co.nz/
You can also make a Wellness Check appointment with our Health Improvement Practitioner Michelle Cooney. The service is free and if you would like to make an appointment please feel free to call reception to make a booking.

TAKE THE HEALTH SURVEY WHAT’S YOUR SCORE TAKE THE HEALTH SURVEY WHAT’S YOUR SCORE? Welcome to Men’s Health Week Hi, great to have you here.Thanks for being part of Men’s Health Week which will roll around once again on the 9th-15th of June 2025. Men’s Health Week aims to help you get right...