The Doctors NZ

29/11/2025

The Holidays are on the way!

Please plan ahead for repeat prescriptions and routine appointments, as demand often increases at this time of year!

Holiday hours🎅🕎:

24 December 2025: Open
25-26 December 2025: Closed
29-31 December 2025: Open
1-2 January 2026: Closed
5 January 2026: Normal hours resume

Repeat prescriptions:

If you need repeat medications over the holidays, please order your repeat prescription by 19 December 2025 so we can process it in time. When you order, please tell us which pharmacy you’d like the prescription sent to.

Need care while we’re closed?

For urgent / after hours care, please visit your nearest after-hours facility. For general health advice, call 📞Healthline on 0800 611 116. In an emergency, call 📞111

27/11/2025

Medication reviews💊

In NZ, most prescriptions must be reviewed every 3 months (unless your doctor advises otherwise). Even if a specialist started your medicine, your GP or NP 👨‍⚕️must review and prescribe.

Please book ahead to avoid delays. If you run out before your review, a short tide-over prescription can be arranged.

26/11/2025

What is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

You might have seen a nurse practitioner at your local clinic – but what exactly do they do?

Nurse Practitioners are highly trained healthcare professionals who can:

✅ Diagnose and treat health conditions
✅ Prescribe medications
✅ Order and interpret tests
✅ Manage ongoing care for a wide range of health needs

They work closely alongside doctors, nurses and the wider healthcare team to provide expert patient centered care.

To find out more click here - https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/healthcare-team/nurse-practitioners

25/11/2025

Moving soon? Stay within the same network!

With 65 medical centres across New Zealand, there’s a good chance we’re already in your new neighborhood!

If you're relocating, speak to our team before you go — we can help you transfer your care to one of our other medical centres, making the move easier for you and your family.

📍 Find your nearest medical centre here: https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/find-medical-centre

24/11/2025

Meet the Team: Kerry Lineham - Nurse Practitioner

We are reintroducing our team members — helping you get to know the friendly faces behind your care.

Kerry Lineham - Nurse Practitioner

After many years of working as a registered nurse, Kerry qualified as a Nurse Practitioner in 2017.

He has been with The Doctors Motueka for 4 years, and his clinical background consists of urgent and intensive care, trauma and working in military healthcare.

In his spare time Kerry enjoys karate and hunting.

21/11/2025

Have you had a cervical screen in the last 2 years?

A Parliamentary Review Committee has been established to independently assess the performance of our national cervical screening programme and recommend improvements. The review will focus on the recent transition to HPV self-swab testing as the primary screening method.

The committee has launched an online survey for anyone who has had a cervical screen in the past two years. If you would like to share your thoughts, please complete the survey here.

Find and participate in consultations run by the New Zealand Ministry of Health

20/11/2025

If you need to see a GP sooner than your regular clinic can offer, or you’d prefer the convenience of online GP services, we recommend The Doctors Online.
- Free online consults for children under 14 (with CSC)
- Adults from $33 (with CSC)

See FAQs for suitability and fees at https://www.thedoctorsonline.co.nz

19/11/2025

Helpful Tips for preventing or improving type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or improved by making lifestyle changes including:

*Healthy eating: Eat a balanced diet. Consider how much and when you eat, being mindful of carb, fibre, fat and salt intake. Find healthy and delicious diabetes-friendly recipes.
*Being active: Regular physical activity helps your cells use insulin and lowers your blood sugar
*Getting enough sleep: Poor sleep can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

All of these are important to your long-term health. If you’re struggling with your eating, exercise or sleep habits, please seek support and advice from our expert clinical team. We’re here to support your health and well-being.

17/11/2025

Measles symptoms usually develop 7 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore and watery pink eyes, followed by a blotchy rash.

If you or your whānau feel unwell, you can call Healthline for advice and information about what to do next. Please don’t visit the practice if you feel unwell – call your practice before coming in.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is now free for adults from 1 October 2025. Book your free MMR vaccine today with one of our medical centres!

16/11/2025

Continuous Glucose Monitors provide real-time data on blood sugar levels.

This data can help individuals manage diabetes by detecting potential glucose highs and lows, and identify trends in glucose levels.

If you have diabetes or a raised blood glucose level and want to improve or better understand your levels, please speak with your GP or one of our Registered Nurses.

Glucose monitors are funded for some individuals and available to purchase for others.

14/11/2025

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is when the level of glucose in your blood is too high.

If it’s not controlled, it can damage the organs in your body. The amount of glucose in your body is controlled by hormones - primarily insulin. With diabetes, your body is unable to produce insulin, or it doesn’t respond properly to the insulin it produces.

Types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes:
This is an auto-immune condition where the body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so not enough is produced. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood and can appear suddenly, often after a viral infection. Type 1 diabetes isn’t lifestyle related.

Type 2 diabetes:
When your body can’t use insulin effectively. The insulin-making cells in your pancreas produce insulin, but the insulin isn’t working well. About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2, and it's one of the fastest growing preventable health conditions in New Zealand.

Gestational diabetes:
When a pregnant woman who was not known to have diabetes before pregnancy develops high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. About 4-8% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If left untreated it can lead to problems for both mum and baby. Usually, it goes away after giving birth but may recur in future pregnancies.

Pre-diabetes:
Pre-diabetes is when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. People with pre-diabetes can make lifestyle changes to reverse diagnosis.

Common symptoms include:

*Unexplained weight loss
*Frequent urination
*Extreme hunger
*Irritability
*Excessive thirst
*Extreme tiredness
*Blurred vision
*Slow healing cuts and bruises

If you notice any of the above symptoms in you or a family member, it’s important to talk to a GP for testing, diagnosis and treatment.

12/11/2025

Are your vaccinations up to date?

As the flu and COVID-19 continue to circulate, it’s important to check that your vaccinations are up to date.

Vaccination remains a key defense in reducing severe illness and protecting our communities. Whether it's your annual flu shot or the latest COVID-19 booster, staying current helps keep you and those around safe.

For more information contact your local centre or visit the health NZ website for more: https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/covid-19-vaccines

12/11/2025

Measles Outbreak - FREE vaccines

Measles is highly infectious. This year in Aotearoa New Zealand we have already had cases of measles.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is now FREE in New Zealand for adults and children.

After one dose of the vaccine, around 95% of people are fully protected, and after 2 doses, 99% of people are fully protected.

The MMR vaccine is the best form of protection against measles.
Book your free MMR vaccine today at one of our medical centres! If you or your whānau feel unwell, please stay home and call us before visiting.

Learn more: https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles

05/11/2025

Measles is highly infectious. This year in Aotearoa New Zealand we have already had cases of measles. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is now free for adults as of 1 October 2025! After one dose of the vaccine, around 95% of people are fully protected, and after 2 doses, 99% of people are fully protected.

Book your free MMR vaccine today at one of our medical centres!

If you or your whānau feel unwell, you can call Healthline for advice and information about what to do next. Please don’t visit the practice if you feel unwell – call your practice before coming in.

Learn more: https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles

04/11/2025

November is Diabetes Action Month – a timely reminder to seek medical advice if you have concerns or have had a recent diagnosis of diabetes. It’s reasonably common in New Zealand with over 323,700 people living with it. Young people can get diabetes too – know what to look for. Get more information from the experts: https://www.diabetesactionmonth.org.nz/

03/11/2025

1.8 billion people around the world are disabled – representing 17% of the global population. Purple Tuesday is a reminder to work towards accessibility everyday, everywhere for everyone.Learn more: https://purpletuesday.co/

28/10/2025

Hay Fever season 🤧

If you are sneezing, dealing with itchy eyes, or a runny nose, hay fever may be the culprit!

Here are some quick tips to help you feel better:

✅ Keep windows closed during high pollen days

✅ Change clothes after being outside

✅ Talk to your GP about relief options

Book an appointment now - https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/book-appointment

26/10/2025

Happy Labour Day!

All our medical centres are closed on public holidays, except Urgent Care Centres, which remain open for walk-in services.

If it’s an emergency, dial 111.

If you need urgent medical assistance, visit your nearest A&E or Urgent Care Centre.

For regular GP and healthcare appointments after the long weekend, you can book via our patient portal.

21/10/2025

A self-requested health test helped save a life! Saad Mansour detected early-stage prostate cancer through a simple PSA test, all thanks to BODYiQ, a self-requested health and blood testing service. The Doctors Online partnered with Awanui Labs to provide clinical follow-up for abnormal results, helping you take control of your health.

Read the full story here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-routine-health-screen-life-saving-surgery-my-prostate-mansour-mo96c/

13/10/2025

Breast Changes? Don’t wait. Get Checked, fast.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a timely reminder to do regular self-checks, as early detection is vital. If you’ve noticed something unusual – like a lump, swelling, or skin changes – and can’t get a same-day appointment at your usual clinic, we’re here to help.

You can speak to one of our online doctors, and if you’ve taken photos beforehand, that can really help. They’ll assess your symptoms, provide support, and recommend in-person follow up if needed.

We encourage everyone to know what their breasts normally look and feel like, and to understand what common changes to watch out for. Breast Cancer NZ recommends checking your breasts once every year.

If you have any concerns or want to learn more about breast health, don't hesitate to book an appointment with us. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Click here for more information from the experts: https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/

To book an appointment click here: https://m-the-doctors-online.indicipms.nz/

05/10/2025

👩‍⚕️ We’re delighted to welcome Dr Ruth Lopes to The Doctors Motueka!

Dr Ruth joins us with over 25 years’ experience as a GP and family medicine specialist. Originally from Portugal, she’s lived and worked across the world, spending the last decade in Sweden before making Aotearoa her new home. 🌏✨

Dr Ruth is passionate about the balance of preventive and therapeutic care, with a special interest in mental health and stress-related illness, including burnout. She’s also led preventative health projects and shared her insights through radio and YouTube to support community wellbeing.

Her philosophy? That the heart of medicine lies in working alongside patients, learning from them, and caring for the whole person in their cultural and social environment. 💙

Outside the clinic, Dr Ruth loves hiking, swimming, writing, and spending time with her adult children. Please join us in giving her a very warm Motueka welcome! 👏

24/09/2025

🏠 Moving soon? You may not need to change healthcare providers! With over 65 medical centres nationwide, we can help you transfer to one of our other practices.

Speak to our team before you go to find out more.

View our full list of medical centres here: https://thedoctors.co.nz/

23/09/2025

Prostate checks are a simple way to look after long-term health, sexual function, and quality of life.

💠 When to start the conversation?
- If you’re 50+ (and have a prostate), have a chat with your GP about screening.
- If you have a family history (dad/brother diagnosed before 65) or you’re Māori or Pacific, talk to your GP earlier — from 40–45.
- Screening isn’t usually recommended over 70, but your GP can advise based on your health.
- Noticed changes (peeing more often, pain, blood, etc.)? Don’t wait — book in.

💠 What to expect?
- Most people start with a PSA blood test. A higher result doesn’t always mean cancer, but it may mean further checks.
- Depending on results, your GP might suggest a digital re**al exam, repeat PSA, or a specialist referral.
- We’ll talk you through the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Learn more:

Men should be proactive in taking responsibility for their health & wellbeing, and getting tested regularly. More options are available if prostate cancer is detected before it causes symptoms (not common in the early stages). Not all doctors are proactive in promoting prostate cancer testing so men...

19/09/2025

Regular cervical screening picks up early HPV changes and can prevent most cervical cancers.

▪ Who’s it for?
If you’re 25–69 and have a cervix, you’re due every 5 years — even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine. First timer? Book your first test at 25.
If you have unusual bleeding, pain, or discharge, please see your GP now — don’t wait.

▪ How it works
You can do a quick vaginal swab yourself in a private space at our clinic. Many people find it faster and more comfortable than a smear. It checks for HPV, and results go straight to your GP. If HPV is found, we’ll guide you through the next steps.

To book a smear, please call us.

Learn more:

Cervical screening every 5 years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Find out how to get cervical screening.