Palmerston North Regional Hospital

04/12/2025

More excellent advice from our friends at THINK Hauora 😃

Heading away over the upcoming holidays? Don’t forget your prescriptions!

Order early to avoid last-minute stress.

✅ Request repeat prescriptions now

✅ Need more than two weeks’ supply? Talk to your GP team

✅ Urgent prescriptions: Some pharmacies can help if you run out unexpectedly – get in touch with your local pharmacy for more information.

For more info head to: https://www.thinkhauora.nz/pharmacy

03/12/2025

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

02/12/2025

Stay cool and well this summer 🌞

Hot weather can affect your health, so take steps to keep yourself and your whānau safe:

✅ Plan ahead - check the forecast, pack water and snacks
✅ Drink plenty of water - keep hydrated, especially kids
✅ Stay out of the sun - find shade, wear light clothing
✅ Be SunSmart - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap
✅ Look out for others - check on elderly neighbours and never leave kids or pets in cars

For more tips on staying safe in the heat, visit: info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/health-effects-from-heat

20/11/2025

18/11/2025

👶💜 MidCentral Maternity Stats – October 2025 💜👶

👶 158 pēpi born — 81 girls and 77 boys, including two sets of twins!
⚖️ Our smallest pēpi weighed 1,100g, and our largest weighed 4,875g – every one of them perfect in their own way.

🏥 Where pēpi were born:
• 134 at Palmerston North Regional Hospital
• 16 at Te Papaioea Birthing Unit
• 6 at Kōhungahunga Maternity Unit in Levin
• 2 at Tararua (Dannevirke) Community Hospital
• 4 pēpi born at home
• 0 pēpi born in transit 🚑
•
💜 Birth types:
• 92 Vaginal births
• 12 Assisted vaginal births (using instruments such as forceps or ventouse)
• 54 Caesarean sections
•
📅 Our busiest day of the month was 22 October, when our teams welcomed 11 pēpi in just 24 hours!

Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved in bringing new life safely into our world — we’re proud to serve our community with warmth, care, and aroha. 💜

14/11/2025

💜 World Prematurity Day – Morning Tea Invitation 💜 Because some babies just can't wait 9 months to meet their parents…

Join us as we come together to honour the tiniest fighters and the incredible families who’ve walked the journey of prematurity.

📅 Monday 17th November 🕙 10:00 AM 📍 Foyer outside the Neonatal Unit, MidCentral Hospital

This event is especially for families who’ve had a premature baby, but everyone is welcome to share in the love and support 💕

☕ Morning tea will be provided — you're welcome to bring something to share, but it's completely optional. No RSVP needed — just come along and connect with others who understand the journey.

Let’s celebrate strength, resilience, and the beautiful beginnings that happen a little earlier than expected 💜

12/11/2025

Do you know a health volunteer who deserves an award? Nominate them today!

This is an amazing way to celebrate the incredible volunteers who play a huge part in supporting our health system!

To nominate an individual or group, complete the nomination form and email it to VolunteerAwards@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

You can find the form at the bottom of this page: http://spr.ly/61887Vz8r

Applications close on Sunday, 23 November at 5pm

10/11/2025

Kia ora Whanau-reposting the July post-which keeps disappearing off our pages!

👶💜 MidCentral Maternity – July 2025 Arrivals! 💜👶
A big congratulations to all the whānau who welcomed their precious pēpi in July! Here’s how the month looked across our district:
🍼 183 pēpi born – including two sets of twins!
💗 85 girls | 💙 98 boys
⚖️ Smallest: 1010g | Biggest: 5040g
🏥 Palmerston North Regional Hospital – 155
🌿 Te Papaioea Birthing Unit – 20
👶 Kōhungahunga Maternity Unit – 5
🏡 Home births – 6
🏥 Tararua (Dannevirke) Community Hospital – 2
🚑 In transit – 1
🩺 98 vaginal births
🤱 6 assisted vaginal births
✂️ 79 caesarean sections
📅 Busiest day: 18 July – with 11 pēpi born!

Ngā mihi nui to our incredible maternity teams for their care and dedication, and aroha to all the families celebrating their new arrivals. 💕

06/11/2025

Measles outbreak update, Thursday 6 Nov
There are no new measles cases today. The total number of confirmed cases remains at 17, and all are no longer infectious.
The outbreak is still ongoing, and Health New Zealand is focused on stamping out further spread. An outbreak can only be declared over after 42 days with no new cases - so we’re not there yet.
⚠️ More cases are expected, and New Zealand remains at high risk.
We’ll keep sharing updates as new information becomes available.
What you can do:
✅ Immunisation is your best protection. Two doses of the MMR vaccine protect ~99% of people.
✅ Check your immunisation status with your healthcare provider.
✅ Get vaccinated at clinics, GPs, or participating pharmacies - many offer walk-ins. Find your closest pharmacy giving MMR on healthpoint.co.nz
✅ Stay home if you're unwell and watch for symptoms.
🩺 Measles symptoms include:
• High fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes
• Rash starting on the face, spreading down the body
📞 If you think you have measles, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.
👩‍⚕️If you want to go to your doctor's clinic, please call ahead before visiting.
🔗 More info: https://info.health.nz/measles-immunity | https://info.health.nz/MeaslesVaccine