Health NZ - Whanganui

13/11/2025

Our Sexual Health Clinic will be closed on Thursday 20 November.

It will reopen on Thursday 27 November.

12/11/2025

An adventure day to remember

When twelve-year-old Carter Clarkson arrived for his scheduled procedures at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Whanganui, the day could have been daunting. Living with severe autism, an intellectual disability, and seizures, Carter’s world can easily become overwhelming. Yet through extraordinary teamwork and compassion, our Oral Health and Theatre Services teams turned the experience into a day Carter and his parents will never forget.

The day was a model of collaboration with Carter and his mum, Mandy, and dad, Glenn. Mandy and Carter arrived early to explore Whanganui’s sights together, starting with boats, the wharf, and then a special treasure hunt through the hospital. In Theatre Services, Carter drifted off to sleep holding a capybara soft toy, his 'treasure', while his parents were moved at how the entire clinical team worked with warmth, precision, and grace.

When it came time for his procedures, the clinical team coordinated seamlessly. Each step was carefully planned to reduce repeated hospital visits and minimise stress for Carter, and his family. Under general anaesthetic, Carter underwent comprehensive dental surgery, including two X-rays, three extractions, six sealants, and a full clean. Alongside that there was blood testing (covering a full blood count, electrolytes, liver and renal function, calcium, phosphate, and lipid profile) and routine immunisations.

Combining these procedures under a single anaesthetic reduced repeated admissions and minimised stress for Carter and his family, an excellent example of patient-centred planning - putting the patient's needs first.

The team behind the success included Dr. Marco Meijer, Head of Department - Anaesthetist, Dr. Deborah Gardiner, Specialist Anaesthetist, Dr. Mui How Koh, Paediatrician, Dr. Helen Wood, Clinical Director Oral Health | Dental Public Health Specialist, Bruce Jones, Registered Nurse and the Public Health immunisation team, and the Theatre Services nursing and reception staff. Their coordination, preparation, and empathy ensured the highest clinical standards while creating a calm and reassuring environment for Carter.

As Carter’s mum, Mandy, later wrote: “The Theatre Services team were outstanding. They embraced and supported Carter’s specialised needs and made what could have been frightening into something magical.”

That small moment summed up a day defined by professionalism, care, and genuine teamwork. For the Clarksons, it wasn’t just a successful procedure, it was proof of how teamwork can turn challenge into calm.

Team Clarkson say it best: "It’s amazing humans like this that make our world a better place".

Images supplied by Mandy Clarkson.

12/11/2025

Building the future of health

11/11/2025

BEHIND THEIR SCREENS: Porritt Lecture 2025

Thursday 20 November | 6:00 PM | Concert Chamber, War Memorial Centre

The Paediatric Department at Health New Zealand | Te What Ora Whanganui invites you to attend the annual Porritt Lecture. This is a free, community talk, and all are welcome.

This year the theme is exploring the effects of social media on youth, and how we can respond.

‘Behind Their Screens’ will feature Dr Samantha Marsh who is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading researchers investigating how technology, particularly smartphones and social media, impacts wellbeing and development in our tamariki and rangatahi.

"Although I am often asked to discuss this topic in the media, what I am truly passionate about is talking about this complex issue with parents, children, teens, and communities and exploring the ways in which we can support kids and families to thrive in the digital world." – Dr Samantha Marsh

The Porritt Lecture will be held at the Concert Chamber of the War Memorial Centre, start time 6pm on Thursday 20 November. Registration is not required.

10/11/2025

Forensic psychiatry is one of the most complex corners of mental health care, supporting people whose wellbeing has at times intersected with the justice system.

At Stanford House, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Whanganui’s forensic psychiatric unit, recovery means more than treatment. It’s about restoring confidence, connection, and a sense of future for tangata whai ora ready to rebuild their lives.

Innovation at Stanford House starts around the team table; clinicians, therapists, cultural advisors, and support workers who believe small changes can make a big difference. That belief was recognised when Occupational Therapist Eve Latty received the Quality Improvement and Innovation Practice Award at this year’s Allied Health Scientific and Technical Awards.

Eve credits the whole team: “Every person here contributes to what we do. We’ve achieved this together.”

One key improvement came when Eve and the team replaced their paper-based activity system with a digital daily run-sheet. Now, everyone can view and coordinate programmes in real time, improving equity, access, and calm consistency for tangata whai ora.

Around the unit, that spirit of innovation keeps growing, from bike-rebuilding and gardening projects to cooking, art, and education. Cultural and peer support add warmth, understanding, and connection to every part of the day.

Under the leadership of Clinical Nurse Manager Cushla Barnes, Stanford House continues to evolve, building stronger community partnerships and improving outcomes. For this team, success isn’t measured in targets but in restored confidence, belonging, and recovery in motion.

Thanks for your mahi Eve and the entire team!

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

06/11/2025

There is a measles outbreak in Aotearoa so it's really important to check if you have had two doses of MMR vaccine. Some people, especially those born between 1969 and 2004, might not have had their second dose.

Come along to one of our FREE clinics on 10 and 12 November.

While not every part of NZ has pop-up clinics, you can also book an immunisation the following ways:
* Online at bookmyvaccine.health.nz
* At many pharmacies - visit healthpoint.co.nz to find your closest
* Through your usual health provider/GP clinic, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider
* By calling the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 (Mon - Fri 8.30am - 9pm, Sat/Sun - 8.30am - 2pm)

The Vaccination Helpline can also help with any questions or concerns you might have.

Want to check your immunity? Visit info.health.nz/measles and use our online immunity checker tool.

05/11/2025

Power to Protect week - supporting whānau and keeping tamariki safe.

Nearly 100 staff from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Whanganui and community agencies attended two Power to Protect (P2P) workshops with Sheila Fowlie. Each session ran for two hours, focusing on strengthening our collective approach to supporting whānau and keeping tamariki safe.

Rather than limit the health promotion opportunity to one day, a group of staff collaborated across the week, manning an information stand, putting up posters and running a quiz. The quiz prize was a Pak’nSave voucher, and more than 150 P2P t-shirts were distributed and proudly worn by staff across many hospital areas. The P2P week was funded by the Maternity Quality and Safety Programme and sponsored by Trish Silk, Child Health Manager and Lucy Pettit, Chief Midwife.

The national coordinator for P2P is a nurse specialist, Sheila, who provides leadership, coordination and support for the implementation and evaluation of the Power to Protect Programme nationally. She says the most important part of P2P is the korero, engaging with openness and focusing on the potential of our children to grow up safe and healthy. Those conversations can happen anywhere, whether in formal settings or everyday moments.

Learn more about Power to Protect here: https://starship.org.nz/power-to-protect

Picture 1 from left:
Carol Stewart, Trish Silk, Sheila Fowlie and Lucy Pettit.

Picture 2 from left: Carol Stewart, Sheila Fowlie, Hayley Herkes, Tania Baker, Ari Reweti and Debs Tongotea. Missing Rachel Taylor

05/11/2025

Te Waka Tairanga Ora is on the road this week, taking hauora services to whānau in Kai Iwi, Te Kaihau o Kupe (Castlecliff), Kaiwhaiki, Pungarehu, Parikino and Te Whare Piringa.

Check below to see when and what time we are in your neighbourhood.

05/11/2025

05/11/2025

05/11/2025

Now is the perfect time to check your immunisation status and book your MMR vaccine.

The MMR vaccine is free for:
- Everyone aged under 18 (regardless of immigration status)
- Adults over 18 eligible for funded healthcare
- Some non-eligible adults during outbreaks in affected regions

How to book 📅

For ages 13 and over, vaccinations can be booked online or over the phone.

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

For those aged 13 and under, contact your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider to book an appointment.

Children over 3 years old can get an MMR vaccine at lots of pharmacies. You can search for one near you on Healthpoint: www.healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation


You can also book through your GP, nurse, or Hauora Māori or Pacific healthcare provider.

Need help? 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.