Wicksteed Medical Centre

01/03/2026

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Brain Health Group Education Series – starting 4 March

Following a successful presentation on Brain Health at the La Fiesta Festival, the Whanganui Regional Health Network has announced a ‘Brain Health Group Education Series.’ There will be three sessions on Wednesdays – 4 March, 18 March and 25 March.

Each session is designed to be standalone. You can attend one session or all three. Numbers are limited to 20 participants per session.

The aim is to help people to discover everyday ways to strengthen their brain and protect your future. Learn:
• What is normal – and what is not when it comes to memory,
• Explore habits that boost brain health, and
• Gain practical tools like Advance Care Planning and Enduring Power of Attorney to feel confident about the road ahead.

Session One: Healthy brain, healthy life. Why your brain matters and how to take care of it
Session Two: Know the signs. Understanding memory and thinking changes
Session three: Be Prepared. Planning and protecting your future.

The sessions will be held at the Whanganui Regional Health Network at 100 Heads Road. Use Gate 2. The times are 11am to 12.30pm.

You can register to secure your place by either emailing info@wrhn.org.nz or phone 06 348 0109.

The Whanganui Regional Health Network states that “Our education series aims to create a network of education sessions run by experts with an aim to tackle all of the serious issues facing our aged community.”

The WRHN is re-launching their in-person cardiac rehab and pulmonary rehab classes in April. These classes were previously delivered virtually/on-line due to COVID. People will now have the option of attending in person or virtually.

Image: Parts of the brain.

27/02/2026

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https://www.wrhn.org.nz/wellbeing-team

19/02/2026

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11/02/2026

Sadly we are saying goodbye to Dr Neil Hughes. He is moving out of the area & his final day with us is Thursday 12th February.

Dr Hughes is a respected colleague who has quietly provided excellent care to his patients.

He has mentored other doctors & encouraged his nurses to work to the top of their scope of practice

We wish him all the best

🙌🌀✨️

03/02/2026

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Band of Brothers!
Calling all tāne📣, come join us for our first Band of Brothers peer support session in 2026.
🕔 Tomorrow, Wednesday 4th February, 5–7pm
📍 Te Oranganui – Terrace House
🍴Kai and Cuppa provided

Band of Brothers is a safe, kaupapa Māori space where tāne can connect, kōrero, and support one another. It’s a place to share experiences, strengthen wellbeing, and build resilience without judgement or pressure.
Walk in, be welcomed, and join other tāne on a journey of healing, whanaungatanga and balance.
Nau mai, haere mai e hoa mā.

26/01/2026

Kia kaha, Aotearoa. 🖤

​It’s been a rough time for many of our whānau across the North Island. Seeing the wild weather and slips affect our communities can be unsettling and stressful.

​If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just "over it"- that is completely normal. In times like this, looking after your mental health/hauora is just as important as fixing the fence or clearing the driveway.

​Please remember you don’t have to carry it all on your own. There is tautoko (support) available if you or someone you know needs a hand navigating these feelings.

​Where to get help:
📞 Call or text 1737 any time, 24/7 to talk to a trained counsellor.

🔗 Find more support and info here: https://info.health.nz/health-topics/mental-health/mental-health-medication/where-to-get-help

And here: https://info.health.nz/health-topics/mental-health

​Check in on your neighbours, hug your whānau, and be gentle with yourselves. 💙

08/01/2026

19/12/2025

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When the marks don’t show .

Mia (not her real name) didn’t see any bruises in the mirror the next morning. That was the part that confused her. Her throat ached. Her voice felt wrong. Her thoughts were slow, as though they were wading through mud. But her skin? Untouched.

Later, she would learn that what happened to her has a name: Non-Fatal Strangulation and Suffocation. A violent act that cuts off oxygen and blood flow to the brain, often without leaving a single visible mark.

Most people expect bruising. Most people miss the internal injuries when the external injuries aren’t there.

What happened to Mia is far more common than most realise. Last year, in Whanganui alone, 212 people came to our hospital because of intimate partner or interfamilial violence. In 64 of those cases, strangulation or suffocation was involved. Nationally, most family violence is never reported at all - around 67% goes unreported.

Only 33% of family violence is reported.

Mia didn’t report it to Police. Many don’t. But she did go to ED. That choice mattered.

A clinician checked her breathing, her voice, her neurological signs. She learned that a loss of consciousness, or even bladder or bowel control, can be a sign of how close to death someone has come. She learned that concussion, confusion, and even stroke can follow in the hours or days after. And she learned she wasn’t alone.

Before she left the hospital, staff told her something important: There’s a specialist Post Non-Fatal Strangulation and Suffocation assessment, offered around 10 days after the event - only Police can make the referral, and only with consent. No statement required. No pressure. Just another layer of care if she wanted it.

Mia also learned she didn’t have to explain anything to her workplace if she needed time. Every New Zealander has a legal right to up to 10 days of domestic violence leave. There are national helplines ready to guide people through this, gently and confidentially.

Maybe someone reading this has lived through something like Mia. Maybe there were no marks. Maybe there was fear. Maybe there was silence.

You are allowed to seek help. You deserve medical care. You deserve safety.

• If you’re in danger, call 111.
• If you arrive at ED and say you’re not safe, we will help you.
• 24/7 help is also available: Phone 0508 SHINE or 0800 733 843 (Women’s Refuge).

10/12/2025

Congratulations 🎊
Best Team Carol, John & Bev & Paige Overall Winner (again) 🏆 Paige going for a Hatrick next year..🎄

04/12/2025

Feeling Overwhelmed? Stressed? Not Coping ?
🫣🤔😬😵‍💫😵🥺😱

Or maybe you might want to start the New Year with a fresh lens & goals.. 🔎

Or maybe you just want a chat about how things are going 🤔..

We are here to help..🤚..

********××××××*******

This is a fully funded service for all our registered patients...

Simply call our ☎️ telephonist to make your appointment
Ph 3491800

No wait times
Can usually see on the day 🙂

30/10/2025

27/10/2025

For more information, or to talk about any issues with memory, concentration or suspected signs of dementia, please see your GP