Health Hawke's Bay

14/12/2025

A MASSIVE congratulations to these wonderful nurses - the January 2025 cohort of New Entry to Specialist Practice (Mental Health) and Nurse Entry to Practice.

Five nurses graduated to specialist practice and 33 for entry to practice.
The specialist practice graduates completed a post-graduate certificate which equals 600 hours of training over the year.

These powerful individuals all passed their competent level Professional Development and Recognition Programme (a display of their portfolios) and came from Hawke's Bay Hospital, Māori Health Providers, Cranford Hospice, District, and Aged Care.

Having now finished their first year of practice they are equipped with everything they need to be confident, competent, safe and skilled health care professionals, who will continue to look after our whanau in Hawkes Bay.

10/12/2025

From 1 February 2026, people may be able to get prescriptions that last up to 12 months.

These changes are intended to give prescribers options and flexibility about what is best for their patients. Prescribers are still able to determine the clinically appropriate prescription length for each patient.

People will only need to pay the one pharmacy dispensing co-payment cost when they first collect their medicines, and will not pay additional co-payment dispensing fees for repeats. This will reduce costs and make it easier for people to stay on top of their medications.

These changes are expected to benefit people with stable long-term conditions using medicines.

These changes are also intended to give prescribers options and flexibility about what is best for their patients. Prescribers are still able to determine the clinically appropriate prescription length for each person.

01/12/2025

✍️ E Hao E Pao Folau - Rangatahi Summer internship 🎊
Yesterday, Tuafafa Latasi and Anatea Caviale Delzesxaux began their five week internship at Health Hawkes Bay.
The pair were selected from a list of candidates in an interview procedure and were chosen for their passion in health and desire to work in the health industry.
It is a prime opportunity for these rangatahi to learn more about primary care having finished their schooling at Hastings Boys' High School and Napier Girls' High School as they prepare for their studies at university.
Over the five weeks, the pair will have hui with staff learning more about the different roles in a PHO and in Primary Health while also putting together an essay and presentation on Immunisation Hesistancy to be shared at the end of the internship.
We're excited to have them with us over the next five weeks and intrigued to see what they share with us at the end of five weeks.
Kia kaha Tuafafa and Anatea 🙌

26/11/2025

Ka pēhea te hauora ki a koe? | What does health mean to you? 🌼

Two weeks ago at Toitū Te Reo, we were proud to support the first Hauora Village – a space for whānau to kōrero about hauora. Over 100 responses came through, and here’s what you told us matters most:

Holistic Wellbeing: Te Whare Tapa Whā, balance, overall wellbeing
Physical Wellbeing: Exercise, healthy kai, sleep
Whānau: Family, mokopuna, caring for tamariki
Te Ao Māori: Māori worldview, wairua, whakapapa

He mihi nui to these organisations for their contribution: Kidney Health New Zealand, Bowel Cancer New Zealand Cancer Society Hawke's Bay Te Kupenga Hauora - Ahuriri, Cervical Screening, Mawhiti Ora, Whatever It Takes Trust, Breast Screen Aotearoa, and Heart Foundation NZ, Kia Ora and Te Uru Mataī
We leave you with the same question... Ka pēhea te hauora ki a koe? Share your whakaaro in the comments – we’d love to hear what health means to you and your whānau.

24/11/2025

🎓 Congratulations to the class of 2025 - Registered Nurse Prescribers in Community Health 🎓
These amazing nurses have completed a six-month programme to become prescribers.
This means they can now help whānau access medicines more easily and reduce pressure on GP clinics.

Since the Registered Nurse Prescribers in Community Health programme came to Hawke's Bay in 2022, Hawke's Bay has trained 60 nurse prescribers, part of 800 in Aotearoa.

This is all about improving patient care, reducing waiting times in practice, and giving whānau more choice.

👏 Huge mihi to our graduates and everyone who supported them – your hard work is changing lives in our community.
Health NZ – Hawke’s Bay

19/11/2025

Gout support part three of three

You may think gout is caused by food and drink intake when in fact, gout is 90% genetic, and only 10% is from the food and drink.

People who get gout have a gene which doesn’t allow their kidneys to flush a natural waste product in our bodies called Uric Acid out of our blood stream.

When the uric acid level gets too high, it turns into minute crystals that settle in a joint, most commonly the big toe or foot.

You can get rid of uric acid by taking correct medications, eating and drinking correctly, and being physically active.

Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about the Mate Taihā | Gout Support programme today.

18/11/2025

🌟 Supporting Tamariki for a Great Start at School 🌟

We recently hosted a Before School Check (B4SC) workshop focused on identifying neurodiversity in 3–4-year-olds. With 40 registered participants from 11 providers—including DHB teams, General Practice, and independent nurses—the session reinforced the importance of early identification and whānau engagement.

B4SC is a free health and development check for all 4-year-olds in Aotearoa. It’s part of the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme and helps ensure tamariki are ready to thrive when they start school.

✅ What is B4SC?
It’s a comprehensive check by a registered nurse, covering:
• Growth, vision, and hearing
• Oral health
• Social and emotional wellbeing
• Developmental milestones
• Immunisation status

Parents and caregivers can ask questions and get advice, while educators contribute through a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This collaborative approach means any concerns—like speech delays or behavioural challenges—are identified early, and whānau are connected to support services before school starts. [tewhatuora.govt.nz], [healthed.govt.nz]

💡 Why it matters
Early identification of health or developmental needs helps tamariki:
• Engage confidently in learning
• Build strong social skills
• Avoid barriers that could affect education success
Research shows B4SC improves outcomes for children in areas like language, behaviour, and overall wellbeing.

👉 Learn more or book your child’s B4SC: healthhb.co.nz/b4-school-checks

17/11/2025

Supporting Stroke Survivors in Our Community

Did you know there are local volunteer-led stroke support groups in Hawke’s Bay? These groups provide a safe space for whānau to connect, share experiences, and learn practical ways to live well after a stroke.

If you or someone you know has had a stroke, one of the programmes we recommend is Kia Ora, a free six-week course designed to help people with long-term conditions like stroke, asthma, arthritis, and more. It covers:
✅ Healthy kai and exercise tips
✅ Working with your GP and health team
✅ Mental health and well-being
✅ Goal setting and action planning

It’s all about building confidence and with like-minded whānau.
If you or someone you know has had a stroke, joining a local stroke group can make a big difference. These groups offer:
☕ Monthly coffee mornings
🌿 Social outings and pop-up activities
🏡 Home visits for those who need extra support

Stroke can affect anyone, and these groups help ensure whānau aren’t isolated.

📞 For more info about the Napier group, contact napiergreendalestrokegroup@gmail.com.

Together, we can support hauora and mana motuhake for all.

16/11/2025

🌟 Exciting News for Tuki Tuki Medical - Waipukurau! 🌟
Tukituki Practice is stepping into a bold new chapter—starting their Te Kura Nui journey with Health Hawke’s Bay!

✅ What is Te Kura Nui?
It’s a kaupapa that strengthens relationships, deepens understanding, and ensures whānau are at the heart of health delivery.

Central Hawke’s Bay (CHB) is leading the way in cultural transformation, and the response has been incredible—providers and communities alike are seeing the impact of this mahi.

This is more than a program; it’s a movement. Tukituki Practice is showing that even in times of change, we can choose pathways that uplift, unite, and empower.

💬 Join us in celebrating this milestone!
When we honor culture, we strengthen health. Tukituki Practice is setting a powerful example for others to follow.

13/11/2025

Te Uru Mataī - Mental Health & Wellbeing
Kia Ora programme - Long Term Conditions Management
Manu Taupua - enrolment into General Practice for the unenrolled

Our Health Hawkes Bay kaimahi along with other health services such as Cancer Society Hawke's Bay Heart Foundation NZ Te Kupenga Hauora - Ahuriri Whatever It Takes, Gout management, Kidney management, Measles information, Rongoa and Mirimiri, and more... we have it all on display at the health expo at Toitu Te Reo.

We're here at Toitū Te Reo for day two, so feel free to stop by, say Kia Ora to the teams and put your health first!

12/11/2025