Carefirst Medical Centres

26/11/2025

🦻What’s hiding in your ears?

From wax to moths, cockroaches, cotton buds, even the odd gemstone, Pauline, Flynn & Bronwyn from Carefirst’s aural microsuctioning (ear wax removal) team have seen it all! 👉 Read the full story in our latest blog: www.carefirst.co.nz/community-news/

Got irritated ears or struggling to hear? Book your appointment today at Carefirst Westown Medical Centre on (06) 753 9505 or email@carefirst.co.nz

And remember: you don’t have to be a Carefirst patient — this service is open to everyone in the community.

Clearer hearing could be just one appointment away.

21/11/2025

🎶🎷No, he’s not that Robert Palmer from 80’s radio, but he’s still a hit in our books! 🎶🎸

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr Robert Palmer to Carefirst Bell Block, where he'll be working as locum until February, ensuring seamless care and continuity for our patients while we prepare to welcome a new permanent doctor to the team.

🎶With decades of specialist GP experience and strong ties to Taranaki, he’s here to help grow access to trusted GP care in a community he knows and loves. Learn more about Robert’s journey back to Aotearoa and Carefirst Bell Block here www.carefirst.co.nz/community-news

👉WE’RE WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS AT CAREFIRST BELL BLOCK!
Enrol with us now to have trusted care ready for when your whānau need it most.

✅ FREE enrolment
✅ Easy access parking
✅ GP care at every appointment

Call 06 968 1440 or email admin@bellblockmedical.co.nz to enrol today. We’re here to help.

18/11/2025

👀👇

Exotic mosquitoes have been identified and collected in Bell Block, New Plymouth 🦟 At this stage the risk of the exotic mosquitoes establishing in New Plymouth is considered low, and the risk of disease very low.

The mosquitoes, Anopheles annulipes or Spear Mosquito (see picture below), are found in Australia and have not been detected in New Zealand previously. Our Health Protection staff are working closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), local businesses and residents to help with additional surveillance.

A big thank you to the local business for acting quickly to inform us about the mosquitos and the community for being so receptive to our team on the ground. Their actions have meant we have been able to start collecting and eliminating unwanted exotic mosquitoes in New Plymouth.

We ask the local community to be vigilant 👀, and if you do see any mosquitoes please call 0800 669 943 📱

18/11/2025

Young people can get diabetes - any age, any stage, know the signs!
Some symptoms are common in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

- Always tired? Ngenge tonu?
- Always thirsty? Matewai tonu?
- Peeing a lot? He nui te mimi?
- Losing weight without trying? Ka ngaro te taumaha me te kore e ngana?

If you or someone in your whānau (including tamariki & rangatahi) is showing signs of diabetes, or needs support in managing their diabetes, make an appointment with us today. We're here to help.

www.carefirst.co.nz/contact

17/11/2025

🏃‍♀️🎉 🏃‍♂️ Coastal Five conquered! 🏃‍♀️🎉 🏃‍♂️
Huge congratulations to our amazing Carefirst crew (tamariki included!) who laced up and took on the Coastal Five over the weekend! From sunrise starts to finish-line smiles, the team spirit was strong, the legs were (mostly) willing, and the support was unbeatable.

We’re proud to have such a massive crew take part of such an epic local event. And yes, we’re already plotting our return next year! Thanks to everyone who cheered us on, we definitely felt the love! 💙

13/11/2025

🎄 Spreading Christmas cheer in Taranaki! 🎄
We’re thrilled to support Taranaki Shoebox Christmas again this year, helping bring joy to tamariki from our local schools and kindergartens.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Carefirst whānau, we’ve packed 33 shoeboxes overflowing with aroha and gifts to make Christmas extra special for kids in our community.

Kia ora rawa atu (thank you very much) to everyone who contributed – your kindness makes a real difference. And to the wider Taranaki community backing this amazing kaupapa, ka mau te wehi!

✨ Together, we’re making Christmas magical 😍 ✨

07/11/2025

👉 For Dr Marcel Fernando, becoming a GP wasn’t just a career move, it was a calling.

He loves coming to work every day, and whether it’s a routine check-up or a complex condition, he finds deep satisfaction in helping patients feel heard, supported, and cared for.

That same dedication has now been recognised at the highest level, as Marcel is now officially a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners! Congratulations Marcel!👏

👉 He joins 14 other Fellows at Carefirst, reinforcing our commitment to specialist-level care and mentoring the next generation of GPs.

📣🥳 Show your support — like and comment below, and read more about Marcel’s journey to Fellowship on our Community News page: www.carefirst.co.nz/community-news/

03/11/2025

It’s Measles Immunisation Week! Measles is highly contagious, but it can also be easily prevented...

✅ Two doses of the free MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine protects 99% of people.
❓ Not sure if you’re fully immunised? It’s safe to get another dose.
📅 Book an appointment with our nursing team to get immunised and help keep yourself and your community safe.

Let’s stop measles in its tracks.

https://carefirst.co.nz/contact/

28/10/2025

🚨Taranaki has so far had one confirmed case of measles in the current outbreak. Measles is a highly contagious illness for those who are not immune, so immunisation against measles is your best protection.

🚨Not sure if you're fully immunised?
You can check your immunity status by visiting info.health.nz/measles-immunity or calling the Vaccination Helpline for free on 0800 28 29 26. If you're unsure, it is safe to have another measles vaccine, even if it’s possible you’re already immune. Contact your enrolled Carefirst clinic to book an MMR vaccination appointment.

🚨IMPORTANT: IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE MEASLES... 🚨
Please phone ahead before visiting any clinic. This helps us take precautions to prevent further spread. Learn what steps to follow when visiting our clinics with possible measles symptoms here 👉 https://carefirst.co.nz/community-news/

23/10/2025

If you've been been worried about a mole/spot, or been thinking about a skin check, let this patient's experience be the reminder you need to book an appointment with our colleagues at Skin Clinic Taranaki.

A 20 minute appointment could save your life.

Call 06 281 01698 or email reception@skinclinictaranaki.co.nz

🕒 It took just 20 minutes to catch a killer...
One of our patients had never had a skin check, until a routine GP visit changed everything. A small spot under his watch turned out to be melanoma. Thanks to fast action by the skin cancer experts at Skin Clinic Taranaki, this patient's story has a happy ending. But it could’ve been very different.

This , we’re sharing our patient's wake-up call to remind our community: skin cancer doesn’t wait, and neither should you.

Read the full story and learn how Skin Clinic Taranaki can help you on our News page 👉www.skinclinictaranaki.co.nz/news

📅 Book your skin check or mole mapping appointment today, no referral needed.
📞 Call 06 281 1698 or email reception@skinclinictaranaki.co.nz

21/10/2025

👀 Do you recognise this person? 👀
For the second time in a month, a bike has been stolen from behind Carefirst Westown Medical Centre. The theft took place just after 10am last Friday morning and the thief was wearing black and white Adidas sneakers, camouflage pants, and a check hooded top.

🚲📸 Blue/green Polygon Tensor eBike with a topeak luggage rack on the back (see images)
We’re disappointed to see this happen again and would really appreciate your help. If you know who this is or have any information about the bike’s whereabouts, please call Police on 105 and quote the following case file number: 251017/3930.

Carefirst is proud to serve our community, and we’re grateful for your support in helping us protect it. 💙

15/10/2025

✈️ Off on an adventure? We’ve got your travel health covered ✈️
Wherever your overseas escape takes you, make sure your plans include peace of mind.

The Carefirst Travel Clinic is here to help - before, during, and after your trip. Our Worldwise-accredited team can support you with:

☀️ vaccinations
☀️ medications
☀️ personalised travel health advice, and more!

Book now:
📧 travel@carefirst.co.nz
📞 Carefirst Westown: 06 75 39505
🌐 www.carefirst.co.nz/travel-clinic