PHC Wānaka

22/04/2026

Some journeys will stay with me forever. 💛
Right now I have the privilege of travelling with a very special client who has faced more challenges than most and kept going with a strength and determination that truly humbled us.
Over time, care became so much more than tasks and routines. It became connection, trust, and shared moments, the kind that reminded us exactly why we do what we do.
To honour her journey and say goodbye, I have created something a little different…
A song, and a video, capturing the highs, the hurdles, and everything in between. From care moments, to travelling together across the world as she stepped into her next chapter here in Mexico 🇲🇽
This isn’t just a story about overcoming adversity.
It’s a story about what can happen when the right support, the right people, and the right belief come together.
At PHC, we don’t just provide care, we stand beside people as they rebuild, rediscover, and redefine what’s possible. Even if our link in the journey is small, we care big.
We are so proud to have been part of this journey. And even prouder to see her now, living her next chapter with courage and independence.
Have a watch, this one means a lot to us.
This is for you Susan and Bernard❤️

19/03/2026

We recently had the privilege of supporting a lovely couple through their ACC recovery journey🤍
Working alongside ACC and the wider health system, our role was to provide short-term support while also helping guide them toward accessing their fully funded Te Whatu Ora (DHB) services for ongoing care.
We pride ourselves on collaborating closely and navigating the health network in a way that is seamless, respectful, and centred around each person’s needs.
These short-term supports are incredibly rewarding for our team. Being able to step in during a vulnerable time, provide stability, and then help transition care appropriately is what community care is all about. We love it!
We are so grateful to have received such kind feedback from this couple, who shared their appreciation for the wonderful team of carers who supported them.
Wishing them both all the very best in their continued recovery.
Caring for them was our pleasure.

10/03/2026

To the caregivers of Aotearoa,
(especially our own here in Wānaka and at PHC)
Thank you for the quiet work you do every day. The work that rarely makes headlines, but changes lives in ways that matter deeply.
Thank you for the patience you bring into people’s homes.
For the kindness you offer when someone feels vulnerable.
For the calm reassurance you provide when families are worried.
I understand that caregiving is not easy work.
It asks for compassion, resilience, and heart.
I see you show up each day to give that with generosity and grace.
You sit, you listen, you support. Often it’s the small moments that mean the most.
Across our country there are thousands of caregivers quietly helping people stay safe, independent, and cared for. That work is appreciated.
Our service is owned by a carer and managed by carers. When I travel, the job title I put on my paperwork is ‘caregiver’. That is the job I am most proud of and that is who I am.
From myself as director, through to our admin and our nurse team, every member of our team genuinely cares about our community and our people.
Everyone who does this work deserves to feel valued, supported, and part of a team that understands the responsibility and privilege of caring for others. You deserve support.
So today I say thank you to you all. Your work makes a difference.
And if you are a caregiver looking for a team that values the work you do, we would love to meet you here, at home, in Wānaka.
We have a beautiful community, a kind team, and meaningful work.
Remember, those who care for others should be cared for too. Look after yourself. Selfcare before workcare.
Stay safe out there,
Nga mihi nui,
Sarah

04/02/2026

Such a real need for our community. ❤️

A Wānaka man caring for his 65-year-old wife, who has dementia, has called on the government to explain what it plans to do about the "desperate...

23/12/2025

This year has been filled to the brim with action for us at PHC.
My main focus this year was to help our quality care become more accessible to everyone. We worked really hard to achieve this.
In 2025 we gave it our best and:
We are now certified with Nga Paraewa Health and Disabilty service standards. This was a big effort and took almost 8 months to achieve.
This means we can also work with ACC. We have the Maximising Independence contract and the Nursing contract for our area which we will action next year.
We are still pinching ourselves that all this happened this year. After almost 4 years of managing PHC in our special community I still feel privileged to be doing this work. I am enthusiastic about what we can achieve together next year. For now, let’s kick back and celebrate together.
Merry Christmas everyone,
Sarah Holmes
I had some fun with AI on this video. For your enjoyment.

01/04/2025

Before PHC, I tested my sneakers on the mountain trails. Running long and slow, with lots of snacking, (salted roast kumara bites😋) and soaking in quick summit highs was the best.
Then I fell into CARING. The short burst summit buzz was replaced by daily serotonin highs from helping people. I never looked back.
Two years in, managing PHC, I started seeing gaps:
*Too many can’t afford private care
*DHB services are sometimes stretched
*Not enough advocacy for vulnerable people
*People waiting weeks after returning from hospital to receive ACC care
So, we got to work.
We have reshaped our PHC service to meet ACC guidelines and last year we applied for the Maximising Independence ACC contract—we got it 🙌
Now we’re on the path to full certification so we can start the contract and move towards supporting all government agencies.🥳

Our goal of ‘safety for all older people living at home’ is a very long run to attempt. But with a steady pace (and lots of good snacks 😄), we believe we can bring genuine care and safety to our Upper Clutha Community.
I’ll keep you posted as we climb this next mountain together⛰️ we hope this can support the great work Health Action Wānaka are doing 👌
Sarah

19/05/2024

What amazing results speaking up can bring.💕
Please speak up and share your story if you are stuck or living at home unsafe and unable to receive you DHB funded care due to staffing issues.
Talking gets support! .
We are here for you community 🥳💕🥳

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora has an opportunity right now to fund a ‘stop-gap’ solution to our community’s lack of access to extended after-hours medical care. The proposal would provide a clinical nurse specialist (an experienced and skilled senior clinician) on-site overnight with remote support from a senior doctor based at Dunstan Hospital. People could be assessed by the clinical nurse specialist and receive either overnight observation and monitoring locally, or be referred via ambulance to Dunstan Hospital if needed. The service would be a 'stop gap' while work continues to fund and deliver a sustainable after-hours service that is comparable to other similarly sized towns in New Zealand.

Representatives of Central Otago Health Services Limited (COHSL), a community-owned, not-for-profit organisation that provides health services out of Dunstan Hospital, have spent two years working on this proposal, so it’s important we let decision-makers know that we need this service as soon as possible. To express your support for the proposal, please email Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora at: feedback@southerndhb.govt.nz Wanaka App Wānaka Sun Crux Otago Daily Times Stuff RNZ

12/05/2024

Thanks to the generosity of our Mothers CARE 🥰
We start our lives with kindness.
Let’s make sure KIND CARE is what they get when they need it most.
Looking after our elderly takes a community.💕
Let’s look out for all our Mamas out there.
Happy Mother’s Day Wānaka 💛

21/04/2024

Does anyone have space in your home to share?🤷‍♀️
Sadly, every now and then we come accross a person who is forced to go to a care facility for their end of life care, even when this is not what they want. 😔
We are trying to provide options, so everyone has a choice and can be prepared with a plan. Our care facilities here can be a great choice, but I believe people should be allowed to be given all the options. 🥳
There are some people who don't have a home, due to selling. We would like to offer, 'renting' scenarios so those wanting palliative care in a home environment don't have to buy again. 🙏
Wānaka, could we share our homes? Is this a good idea?❤️‍🩹
Are there any spare rooms, apartments or living spaces in your homes that these precious people can use short term?
Our team would take responsibility for everything and your home would be well looked after with all of your personal requirements respected.🥰
Please only offer if you own a space you can afford to share. We know that many Wānaka families need to keep air bnbs to provide for your family. Please care for yourselves first.
For those that are interested, your costs would be covered and your home cared for with our gold standard PHC service.😉
I believe that caring together is the future of Healthcare and the only way to keep our loved ones safe in our unique community.🫶
I have put our own air bnb on the list. A gentle guest room that looks out to the mountains. I hope this can help someone soon.❤️
Sarah 💛

18/04/2024

Who said you had to stop having fun when you’re older?💕🥳💕
Are you wanting to get out there but are worried about safety? 🫣
Do you think your parents would like new experiences and be able to keep exploring the stunning backyard of NZ??🐬💕🐬
We are all about supporting you to LIVE WELL🦄
Now PHC is CARING for you both inhome and out!
☀️🥳☀️
Click below to get 20% off the next adventure!!
💕 https://www.pennyshomecare.co.nz/doubtful-1

18/04/2024

We’ve got some good eggs in our community! These guys are great for speaking up for what’s important 💕☀️💕

Share your thoughts as a comment below or email us at: info@healthactionwanaka.nz

21/03/2024

Fourth and last video from the Public Meeting tackling our Healthcare needs in the Upper Clutha
45-65mins💛 revised text