Palmerston North Regional Hospital

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

02/11/2025

It’s Measles Immunisation Week! 🛡️
Measles is highly contagious - but the good thing is it’s also preventable. This week is all about making sure our communities are protected.
💉 The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is free for anyone under 18 and for those eligible for free healthcare.
📍 Drop-in clinics are running across the country - no appointment needed.
👶 Not sure if your child is immunised? Now’s the time to check.
📲 Visit info.health.nz/immunisations/immunisation-clinics for local pop up clinics near you. You can also refer to healthpoint.co.nz as not all immunisation clinics are listed in info.health.nz.
Another option for booking an MMR vaccine is to book online: info.health.nz/bookavaccine

30/10/2025

Is it measles or chickenpox? With measles spreading in Aotearoa NZ, it’s important to know the difference.
Sometimes, measles is mixed up with chickenpox, but they are two very different illnesses, with measles being more severe.
Here’s what to look for:
🤒 Measles: Starts with a high fever, red itchy eyes, a cough and runny nose. A rash follows, starting on the face then covering the body.
😖 Chickenpox: Starts with itchy blisters all over the body. Fever is mild to moderate, and a headache or fatigue might be present.
Before vaccines, some parents held chickenpox or measles “parties”, but these are *not* safe!
Both viruses can cause serious illness, and measles is especially dangerous and can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and other health complications such as hearing loss.
Deliberately exposing tamariki to measles can put them and others at serious risk, especially those who are immunocompromised.
Both illnesses have vaccines. Check you’re up-to-date with your immunisations to have the best protection: http://spr.ly/61887Eh44

29/10/2025

23/10/2025

🌼✨ Welcome to the world, little ones! ✨🌼 September was a month full of love, laughter, and new beginnings in the MidCentral region 💛

👶 A total of 158 babies were born — each one a bundle of joy! 💗 67 girls | 💙 91 boys
👯 One set of twins
⚖️ From 1640g to 4600g — every baby perfectly unique
🏥 Born across our amazing birthing units, hospitals, homes, and even one in transit!
🤱 100 vaginal births | 11 assisted | 47 caesareans
📅 The 28th was our busiest day, with 11 new arrivals!

To all the families, midwives, and maternity teams — thank you for your care, strength, and heart. Here's to the newest members of our community and the beautiful journey ahead 💐

21/10/2025

Measles update: Three new cases confirmed - two in Manawatū (children) and one in Nelson.
🧒 These are in addition to the Auckland case earlier this week.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness. In 2019, 1 in 3 people with measles needed hospital care.
🕵️‍♀️ Contact tracing is underway. We’re supporting all affected individuals and exploring possible undetected community transmission.
✅ Protect yourself and your whānau:
Get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.
Check locations of interest: https://info.health.nz/.../measles-locations-of-interest...
Learn: https://info.health.nz/.../measles-mumps-and-rubella-mmr...
Know the symptoms: https://info.health.nz/.../infec.../about-measles/measles...
If you think you might have measles, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or call your doctor (do not go into the clinic). They will advise you on what to do.
Media release: https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/.../escalated-national...

20/10/2025

There is an upcoming strike on Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October. Hospitals will remain open, and patients will receive the care they need. ED will be open for emergencies only and the 111 service will operate as usual. Unless contacted by hospital staff, please attend your appointment or treatment as usual.

To find the right care for you and your whānau during the strike visit: health.nz/services-support/find-the-right-healthcare-for-you-and-your-whanau

For more info on the strike visit: tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/employment-relations/industrial-action