Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation

11/11/2025

Join our free online session: Your Health Journey in Aotearoa New Zealand

ℹ️ Wednesday 19 November, 6pm to 7pm
👉 Online on Teams – Register here: bit.ly/YourHealthinNZ

This session will help you understand how our health system works and where to go for care. It is great for people who are new to the country, families supporting newcomers and anyone who wants to learn how health care works.

You will learn how to register with a family doctor, where to get help after hours, when to call 111, what is free or low cost and how pharmacies, medical centres and hospitals can help. We will also explain how to get language support for your appointments.

06/11/2025

Stay Protected from Measles 💛

Measles spreads easily, but it’s preventable. Two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) protect almost everyone for life.

💉 Free for anyone under 18 and for adults eligible for free healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand.

🏥 Available at GP clinics, many pharmacies or Tauranga’s drop-in clinic:
Rangiora Health Hub, 95 Sixteenth Avenue. Tuesdays 9.30am–4.30pm | Wednesdays 9.30am–6pm.

📅 Book a vaccine online: bookmyvaccine.health.nzor over the phone: 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

🤧 Symptoms include a cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and a rash starting on the face.

☎️ Think you might have measles? Call Healthline 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7).

💛 Keep your whānau and community safe — check, book or drop in today.

04/11/2025

Here’s how to check if you are protected against measles:

Not sure if you’re protected against measles? Here’s how to check:

💻 Use the online tool
It guides you through what to look for based on your age and vaccination history. Find it here: info.health.nz/measles

💻 Log into My Health Record via your My Health Account to view your immunisation records (available for most people vaccinated after 2005).

👩🏽‍⚕️ Ask your doctor, nurse, healthcare provider or hauora provider. They can check your records or advise if you should get vaccinated.

📱 Call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–9pm, weekends 8:30am–2pm) for support. Interpreters, Māori kaimahi or disability advisors are available.

✅ Other places you can check include your online patient portal (e.g. Manage My Health), your childhood health book such as your Plunket or WellChild Tamariki Ora book, calling your local lab as they might have records of measles immunity tests you've had in the past.

✈️ If you grew up overseas, contact your previous doctor or healthcare clinics to see if they have your immunisation records.

💙 No records? Not sure? It’s safe for most to get another dose of the MMR vaccine and it’s free for most people in NZ.

This Measles Immunisation Week (3–7 Nov), take action to protect yourself and your whānau.

03/11/2025

Measles Immunisation Week 💛

Measles spreads easily, but the great news is that it’s preventable. This week is about helping everyone stay safe and protected.

💉The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is free for anyone under 18, and for adults who are eligible for free healthcare in Aotearoa. Two doses protect almost everyone from measles, and once you’ve had both, you’re protected for life.

👶 Not sure if you or your tamariki are protected? You can check your records here: info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles-immunity

📍Where to get you measles vaccine:

🚶Drop-in clinics
In the Western Bay, visit Rangiora Health Hub at 95 Sixteenth Avenue, Tauranga. Tuesdays 9.30am to 4.30pm and Wednesdays 9.30am to 6pm. No appointment needed. For other locations, check https://bit.ly/3Li6oDe

🏡 General practices
Your usual GP clinic can help too. If you’re not enrolled with one yet, you can find a local practice here https://wboppho.org.nz/gp-practices/

🌿 Pharmacies
Many local pharmacies offer MMR vaccinations. Pop in, book online or give them a quick call

📲 Book a vaccine online at: info.health.nz/bookavaccine

💛 Let’s keep our whānau and community safe. Check, book or drop in this week.

03/11/2025

November is Diabetes Action Month 💙

This year, the Diabetes NZ campaign is highlighting the voices of young people living with diabetes because it can affect anyone, at any age.

👧🏽 Type 1 diabetes is the most common type in tamariki (children), but young people can also develop Type 2 diabetes and other forms.

Know the 4 Ts – Early signs of Type 1 diabetes:
🚽 Toilet: needing to wee more often, especially at night
🥤 Thirsty: drinking lots and still can’t quench thirst
😴 Tired: always tired and low on energy
⚖️ Thinner: losing weight without trying

If you or someone in your whānau notices these signs, see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible.

Need support? 💙
We offer free diabetes management groups and dietitian consults for eligible people. Learn more at wboppho.org.nz/diabetes-lifestyle/

🔗 For diabetes resources and self-care tips, visit diabetesactionmonth.org.nzand healthify.nz/health-a-z/d/diabetes

02/11/2025

Measles is spreading in Aotearoa NZ. Dr Mamaeroa David shares what you need to know to protect yourself and your whānau/family. Watch video on Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora page:

02/11/2025

Timely information from Whānau Āwhina Plunket on measles and what is means for children under 12 months:

We know parents are feeling anxious about measles right now, especially those with pēpi under 12 months 👶

Here’s what you need to know:
• Pēpi under 12 months aren’t routinely vaccinated against measles.
• If your pēpi is travelling overseas or has been in close contact with someone who has measles, talk to your GP. They can prescribe the vaccine as early as 4 months if needed.
• Pēpi who get an early dose will still need two more MMR vaccines at 12 and 15 months.
• The best protection for your pēpi is making sure everyone in the whānau around them is vaccinated.

If you’re worried or unsure, you can always call on 0800 933 922 for advice. Let’s protect our pēpi together 💜

29/10/2025

Welcome to Our Network: Palm Springs Medical Centre 🌿

A warm welcome to the newly opened Palm Springs Medical Centre Papamoa, now part of the WBOP PHO network and serving the Pāpāmoa community.

Nurse and GP co-owned, the team is passionate about continuity of care and delivering high-quality, patient-centred support in a modern, friendly and whānau-focused environment.

Find out more at 🌐 palmspringsmedical.co.nz

22/10/2025

Health worker strikes are planned for Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October. Most primary care and community health providers are not affected and will continue to operate as normal. Here what you need to know:

🚑 If you need emergency care, go to the ED as normal

⚕️If you require non-emergency care. Here are some options:
✅ Contact your general practice. Many in our region offer same-day appointments or have walk-in clinics for urgent needs. Find a GP here wboppho.org.nz/gp-practices
✅ Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free medical advice. 24/7
✅ Contact Practice Plus on 0800 772 2578 or visit practiceplus.nz for same-day phone or video consultations with a doctor.
✅ Visit Tauranga Accident & HealthCare on 19 Second Ave, Tauranga
✅ Visit your local pharmacy. Great for coughs, colds, minor infections, emergency contraception or immunisations and more.
✅ For free mental health and addictions support, call or text 1737 any time.
✅ Access healthify.nz for easy-to-understand health information and trusted tips on managing symptoms at home.

During the strike:
👉🏽 Patients in hospital will receive safe care
👉🏽 Unless you are contacted directly, please attend any scheduled outpatient or community appointment or treatment

👉🏽 For strike information: https://bit.ly/3WihjyV

21/10/2025

🚨 Escalated Measles Risk in Aotearoa

Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand has confirmed measles cases across several regions — including Auckland, Manawatū, Nelson and earlier, Northland and Queenstown — and is responding to an escalating national risk of measles.

Measles spreads easily and can cause serious illness. During the 2019 epidemic, about one in three people needed hospital care. The best protection is to make sure you’re up to date with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine after 12 months of age.

✅ Check your vaccination status
Look at your Plunket or Well Child/Tamariki Ora book, My Health Record at my.health.nz, or call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26. You can also check with your GP, nurse, pharmacist, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider.

✅ Get vaccinated
The MMR vaccine is free for anyone under 18 and for adults eligible for free healthcare. Most pharmacies offer MMR vaccinations and are open on weekends for easy access.

📍 Find a pharmacy or vaccination site near you: info.health.nz/bookavaccine

ℹ️ Learn more about measles: info.health.nz/measles

If you start to feel unwell with a high fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes or a rash, stay home and phone ahead before visiting your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice. Free interpreter services available.

Let’s help protect our whānau and communities by keeping our vaccinations up to date. 💛