Community News

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Latest news

Click the links in the list below to go directly to the latest news article of your choice or scroll down to view more news.

• From the clinic to the board game: Carefirst & Skin Clinic Taranaki make Monopoly history!
• Flu jabs available from Tuesday 1 April
• Dr Putt says goodbye Westown, hello rest homes
• 2024 Christmas and New Year hours
• Meet Dr. Esther van der Harg, the GP with a passion for extreme sports!
• The end of an era – thank you to Dr Lucy Gibberd
• Carefirst staff conquer the Coastal Five!
• Introducing Rachael, Carefirst clinical manager
• Supporting Taranaki Tamariki at Christmas Time
• Carefirst whānau visits Warea for Parihaka education day
• Introducing… Jodi!
• How to get the most from your doctor appointment

From the clinic to the board game: Carefirst & Skin Clinic Taranaki make Monopoly history!

13 March, 2025

A famous visitor popped into Carefirst Westown and Skin Clinic Taranaki recently.

The Monopoly Guy was out and about visiting many of the businesses and iconic Taranaki landmarks that are featured in the new Monopoly – Taranaki Edition, which we are so thrilled to be part of!

He was very busy during his visit, protecting himself ahead of flu season with a free flu vaccination (seeing as he’s over 65), and a thorough skin check with our Skin Clinic Taranaki clinicians!

It’s a true privilege to provide care for our incredible community every day, and now we get to be part of your Monopoly adventures too! To get your own piece of Taranaki history, place your game order here.

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Flu jabs available from Tuesday 1 April

3 March, 2025

your whānau the best protection. Book in now for your flu vaccine/rongoā āraimate rewharewha.

The 2025 flu vaccine is free for:

• People aged 65 years and older 
• Pregnant people 
• People aged 6 months to under 65 years with an eligible health condition such as diabetes, cancer, serious asthma, kidney disease, history of significant respiratory illness 
• Children aged 4 and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness 
• People aged 6 months to under 65 years with serious mental health and addiction conditions 

 If you are not eligible for a funded flu vaccination, the cost is $28.

You can also book in for the new COVID-19 booster at the same time as your flu vaccination if:

• It has been at least 6 months since you had COVID-19 infection
• It has been 6 months since your last COVID-19 booster

To book an appointment for a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination, please phone or email reception at your enrolled clinic; click here for contact information.

For more information on flu vaccination, click here. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, click here.

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Dr Putt says goodbye Westown, hello rest homes!

21 January, 2025

With over 12 years’ GP experience, Esther is well-placed to provide excellent care. 

Geoff says he feels greatly privileged to have cared for and been part of his patients’ lives over the years, and that his decision to take this first step towards retirement has been made easier by his confidence in Esther and the rest of the Carefirst team. He thanks each and every one of his patients for their trust and support over the years.  

While he will be missed at Westown, we are pleased to still have Geoff providing his expert care for some of our rest-home based patients!

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2024 Christmas & New Year hours

21 December, 2024

visit the Health NZ – Taranaki website for info on the range of healthcare options available.

Have a safe, happy and healthy holidays!

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Meet Dr. Esther van der Harg, the GP with a passion for extreme sports!

16 December, 2024

We’re excited to introduce Dr. Esther van der Harg, one of the wonderful doctors here at Carefirst. Esther joined our team in September this year and has been making waves with her dedication and enthusiasm ever since.

Originally hailing from the Netherlands, Esther has worked in healthcare since she graduated from Amsterdam’s Vrije University medical school in 2009. She began her career as a ward physician in a peripheral hospital before diving into GP training, qualifying as a GP in December 2012. Over the years, she’s lived and worked in various locations across the Netherlands (including Zeeland!) and even spent some time in Belgium.

Originally hailing from the Netherlands, Esther has worked in healthcare since she graduated from Amsterdam’s Vrije University medical school in 2009. She began her career as a ward physician in a peripheral hospital before diving into GP training, qualifying as a GP in December 2012. Over the years, she’s lived and worked in various locations across the Netherlands (including Zeeland!) and even spent some time in Belgium.

However, the pull of the land of the long white cloud was strong, following visits to her sister in Hamilton in 2004 and a friend working as a GP in New Plymouth in 2017. It was these experiences that sparked her big move across the world.

While she hails from Europe and is fulfilling her very own travel goals living and working in New Zealand, for Esther dream destinations are more about the experience than the place itself. Patagonia remains a favourite destination, but she also finds pure joy in the simple pleasure of sitting next to a fireplace on a cold night!

With that mindset, it will come as no surprise that Esther is all about enjoying life and trying new things. She loves bouldering and tries her hand at skateboarding, and while she says she’s no Tony Hawk or Alex Honnold, she embraces the fun of it all.

For Esther, healthcare isn’t just a job; it’s a way to give back to society. She loves the team-work aspect, working together towards common goals with both patients and healthcare professionals. She also really values the meaningful connections that come with caring for patients, and the support the team gives each other through both the good times and the more difficult moments.

Welcome to the Carefirst whānau, Esther! We’re so glad to have you with us.

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The end of an era – thank you to Dr Lucy Gibberd

13 December, 2024

Pictured L-R: Dr Geoff Tvrdeich, Dr Lucy Gibberd, Dr Geoff Putt and Dr Amanda Brown,

If you’ve ever been at Carefirst and heard a resounding laugh or determined footsteps in the on the stairs, it’s likely you’ve heard the unintentional calling card of one of Carefirst’s founding clinicians, the wonderful Dr Lucy Gibberd.

These familiar sounds, along with her clinical expertise, strength and unwavering support of her colleagues were recurring themes during speeches when our team gathered recently to say thank you – but most definitely not goodbye – to our dear friend and colleague.

After 23 incredible years of caring for thousands of Carefirst patients, Lucy is stepping back from her GP work to focus on her role as a medicolegal consultant with the Medical Protection Society.

As we bid farewell to Lucy, we were reminded of the immense impact she has had on our clinic and the lives of countless patients over many generations.

Lucy has been a pillar of strength, support and wisdom to everyone at Carefirst, from our new GPs to her fellow founding Carefirst clinicians. Despite being considered one of the brightest in the field, what stands out most is Lucy’s humility. She shares her genius with grace and is a fantastic advocate for the profession. Her infectious giggle, energy, and presence have been a source of stability for us all.

Teaching has been Lucy’s second passion. She has taken on many GP registrars over the years, often calling them her “surrogate children” as she supported them towards fellowship with the Royal New Zealand College of GPs. Ironically, she says she often feels like she learns more than she teaches!

Lucy says she is grateful for everyone who has supported her, and to everyone behind the scenes at Carefirst that have kept everything running smoothly over the years. While there were certainly challenging times, she says coming to work has been a joy, and being part of her patients’ lives was an absolute privilege.

Lucy added that she is extremely confident in the new generation of doctors at our clinics. She is happy to be able to depart knowing the future of Carefirst is in good hands and that her patients will continue to receive excellent care.

While we will miss her regular presence in the clinic, we know that her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. Thank you, Lucy, for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and wisdom; you will always be part of the Carefirst whānau.

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Carefirst has a new nurse practitioner

7 December, 2024

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Carefirst staff conquer the Coastal Five!

14 November, 2024

Huge shoutout to our amazing (and fit!) staff who represented Carefirst Medical Centres in the recent Coastal Five running event; five runs over two days, totalling 42.2km (a marathon!).

Special kudos to Dr. Esther van der Harg, who completed all five runs! It’s fantastic to see our our team achieving great things together.

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Introducing Rachael, Carefirst clinical manager

14 November, 2024

From boy-mum to clinic-mum, and back again – it’s all in a day’s work for Rachael, Carefirst’s new clinical manager!

As a mum to three energetic school-age boys, and a self-described active relaxer, Rachael is well versed in keeping things running smoothly while juggling many tasks. So it will come as no surprise that she has hit the ground running with her new role at Carefirst!

As clinical manager, Rachael works alongside our nursing and primary care assistants at all four clinics, supporting them to excel in their roles.

Rachael started her nursing journey as a fresh-faced 17 year old in training at WITT, moving on to roles in Cardiology in Australia, Taranaki DHB (as it was known then) in the Orthopaedic Ward and then ED for eight years. Next was a move to Working for Health as an occupational health nurse and then clinical manager for another six years, after which she joined the Carefirst Team!

When asked what she loves most about her role, Rachael says it is the people.

“I love working with this group of extremely talented people that all have the same care and passion to make a difference in someone’s world”.

Caring is obviously ingrained in Rachael, as her dream role when she was younger was to be a vet. While this may not have eventuated in her adult life, she made up for it by getting herself an acre section where she has her own herd of animals – a dog named Jeffery, two goats named Swangoat and Junior, two cats named Super mango and Monica (don’t let your kids name animals!), and a kune kune pig named Penny.

As you can imagine a home, three boys and her own menagerie keeps her very busy…  “I’m often doing a DIY project from home when I’m not working – I painted my house this last summer. Now I’m just waiting for someone to help with the roof as I’m slightly scared of heights!”

Her aspirations for the future are to get to know and support the Carefirst team to the best of her ability, while getting in some work-life balance with a trip to sunny Rarotonga with her boys later in 2025 – kia orana!

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Supporting Taranaki tamariki at Christmas time

12 November, 2024

We were super excited to support Taranaki Shoebox Christmas again this year, sharing the aroha with 35 shoeboxes of gifts going to tamariki from schools and kindergartens in our local communities.

Tēnā koutou to our Carefirst and Skin Clinic Taranaki kaimahi who gave generously knowing that they were making Christmas better for children in our community; the shoeboxes were overflowing!

Well done team, and to everyone in the Taranaki community that has supported this fantastic kaupapa. Ka mau te wehi!

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Carefirst whānau visits Warea for Parihaka education day

11 November, 2024

community to heal. We acknowledge local kaitiaki, Tihikura Hohaia for hosting us, sharing his extensive and valuable knowledge, and visions for the future of our wonderful community – ngā mihi nui!

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Introducing… Jodi!

4 November, 2024

medical centre is the perfect fit for me!”

Like many of us during a wet and windy Taranaki Spring, Jodi dreams of warmer climates and sunny beach days (with appropriate sun protection of course), so to scratch that travel itch, she’s planning a getaway to Rarotonga in 2025 – travel tips are welcomed! ☀️ 🏖️🌴

What you might not know about Jodi is that she started her life as a ‘mainlander’, spending her childhood in a few locations in the South Island.

The move to New Plymouth was obviously a good one as she has remained here ever since. The South Island’s loss is most definitely our gain!

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How to get the most from your doctor appointment

23 October, 2024 – Transcript from Radio New Zealand’s Sunday Morning show; listen to the interview here

You only get 15 minutes at the GP, so how do you make the most of it? Write a list, save up your ailments, do a quick Google beforehand? Sunday Morning spoke to GP, medical educator and writer Dr Lucy O’Hagan to find out how to get the most out of your doctor appointment.

O’Hagan trains student general practitioners in consultation and communication skills, which is a “fascinating job”.

“I get to watch about 100 to 150 consultations a year. Some of them are live, some of them are videos, some of them are role play or consultations with actors.”

A 15-minute GP appointment can be challenging, both for the doctor and the patient, she says.

“We don’t actually have a sense of the sea of humanity that walks through the doctor’s room and how different patients are and where they are in their life and and how they’re gonna manage that.”

The question of how to get the most out of an appointment “assumes the patient is comfortable in the health service, they have a sense of capacity, they’re feeling pretty well and can articulate things, they feel safe and trust the doctor and have a relationship with them”.

“If I do a consultation with a 70-year-old farmer’s wife from Tarras, that’s a very different consultation to a 70-year-old Tokelauan woman who speaks English as a second language. So it’s a complicated business.”

It was vital that GPs did not judge their patients for anything disclosed, she said, and be aware of their more powerful position. “We talk about using that power wisely and kindly because it has a therapeutic power as well, but … we also have the power to humiliate and judge people. And I think sometimes those are the things that can go wrong.”

Don’t bring a long list

Before you go to your appointment O’Hagan recommends thinking carefully about what a doctor can help with.

“People often have a list and it’s quite problematic for the GP because you have to then prioritise which one you’re gonna put the most energy into, and then the other [items] only get a limited amount of time.

“You often get to the end and the person feels like they’re a bit confused and they haven’t quite got an answer to everything.”

Don’t leave the real problem to the last minute

If patients do bring a list of issues, O’Hagan tells trainees to get it out of the way early, so that they can triage what is most important.

“When people present their list, they present the less concerning, less shameful things first, so we’ve got to get to the bottom of the list in order to work out how you’re going to spend your time.”

Do know what you expect out of the consultation

“You might have been on Doctor Google, so you’ve got a whole lot of ideas about what might be wrong, or you’ve talked to Auntie Mary, or your wife’s worried about something.

“So you might be expecting to get an X-ray and you don’t get it because you haven’t actually said so.

“It’s much easier for the doctor – and the consultation goes much better – if you actually state those things.”

Do change doctors if they’re not working for you

Although O’Hagan acknowledges it can be difficult to register with a GP practice in the first place, she encourages patients to switch doctors if you feel you’re not getting what you want.

“Doctors are all different, as well as patients being different. So if you have a doctor that you don’t really relate to and you’re not getting what you want, then you can usually change within the practice. I think it is really important that you resonate with the doctor that you see.”

Do prepare for GPs to ask you lots of questions

GPs go into “doctor mode”, O’Hagan says, and start asking closed questions to get a diagnosis.

“You can almost anticipate what they’re going to be. They’re gonna ask you how long have you had that symptom? When did it start? Does anything make it better or worse? Have you tried anything for it? Are there any other associated symptoms? So it’s quite useful if you’ve thought that through … because you can get a bit flummoxed.

“It’s actually quite useful to write a timeline [of symptoms] down. We don’t want a 50-page essay but if you’ve got some bullet points … you could hand them to me and then, when you’ve gone and I’m writing up the notes, I’ve actually got it clear in my head about what happened when.”

Do summarise your visit at the end

At the end, it can be helpful for patients to state what they understand is happening next.

“Sometimes if the plan is really complicated, I actually text it to the patient because if you’re gonna have a blood test and then someone’s gonna call you about an x-ray, and this is your follow-up appointment and I want you to stop this pill and start that pill – that’s quite a complicated plan. It would be very easy for that to get very confusing.”

Do bring a friend or whānau

The above point is why O’Hagan thinks it’s “magic” when a patient brings along a trusted friend or family member, “because you’ve got two people to ask questions and to listen, and for the doctor you’ve got collateral information.

“So the guy who says he has the odd pie for lunch, his wife rolls her eyes and say, ‘He eats two pies a day.’

“Or the person who comes in and says they’re a bit stressed at work, when they come in the next week with their wife, the wife goes, ‘Oh my God, he’s in such a bad way, he can’t go to work’, that is really useful.”

Don’t forget about other healthcare providers

Not everything on a list of ailments needs the attention of a doctor, she says. A STI check or cervical smear could be done with the GP practice nurse, and you could see a podiatrist for ingrown toenails, for example, or go directly to an optometrist or physiotherapist.

Pharmacists could help with a range of issues, too – especially if people are struggling to get into their GP.

“I was speaking recently to a pharmacist in Upper Hutt who’s employed two nurses in her pharmacy. They do an initial assessment then [if necessary] they go into a virtual consultation with a doctor.

“Primary healthcare is changing rapidly and you have a lot of options. So I think my GP colleagues would say please don’t bring the long list.”

Do use online tools

A call to Healthline on 0800 611 116 can help you decide whether you actually need to see a GP, and Healthify – formerly Health Navigator NZ – is also useful “because GPs use it all day, every day”, she says.

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Skin Clinic Taranaki team celebrate certification audit success!

4 October, 2024

Procedures Standard. This standards is set by industry leaders, providing a nationally consistent benchmark that we can measure our ourselves against. 

Certification against these standards demonstrates our commitment to ongoing excellence in care for our patients. It gives assurance to our team, ur patients and our health insurance partners that we are practicing in a safe way, and that our systems, procedures and policies are up to date and being adhered to. 

We’d like to acknowledge our wonderful SCT kaimahi/staff; a lot of time and effort goes into preparing for the audits. We also appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate the hard mahi/work our team put in every day to ensure the highest quality care and support for our patients. 

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Need an appointment?

29 August, 2024

We do our best to ensure our patients can get appointments as soon as possible, and with winter making our services busier than usual we’ve got a few tips to help you get the care you need, when you need it:

Got a condition that means you need to see your doctor regularly?
Book your appointments in advance. This will ensure you’re able to see your usual GP who is most familiar with your health/condition(s).

Need an appointment today?
Appointments slots are blocked out each day to ensure availability for those with acute healthcare needs (i.e. patients who need an appointment that day). These appointment requests are triaged by our nursing team and can’t be booked online, so make sure you call reception for any same-day appointment bookings.

Make use of Carefirst’s Urgent Care service
While continuity of care via appointments with your usual GP is recommended where possible, we also offer, for acute, need to be seen on the day care, an Urgent Care service at Carefirst Westown. It’s open 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

While this service is open to anyone, as a Carefirst patient you’ll pay the same as you normally would to see your GP plus a $25 urgent care surcharge. See our patient fees for details.

Additional healthcare support
There are a range of other free healthcare services available to help you care for yourself/your whānau at home, in addition to GP care:

• Visit the Healthify website
  Healthify provides helpful information and tips to help you care for yourself at home. This includes general information about keeping well, medications, and common health issues such as coughs, colds and flu, fever; minor injuries, skin issues and more.
  
• Call Healthline on 0800 611 116
  Healthline is a free, 24-hour service with registered nurses who provide advice about what’s happening for you and recommend the next steps to get the health care you need.

• Visit your pharmacy for advice
  Pharmacies can offer health advice on a wide range of common conditions and medicine, such as coughs and colds, bladder infections, eye infections, minor cuts and grazes, the emergency contraceptive pill and a range of other health needs.

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Fee update for Carefirst patients

16 August, 2024

From Monday 19 August 2024, the amount you pay for a consultation at all Carefirst clinics is increasing. This does not include fees for patients under 14 years of age, or those who have a Community Services Card.

Carefirst’s goal is to provide excellent clinical care to our patients. This increase enables us to support our dedicated and experienced team to continue providing high-quality, equitable, clinical care and support for our patient community, in a timely way.

Visit your enrolled clinic’s page at the link below for more fee information, and don’t hesitate to call your clinic if you have any queries.

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Carefirst is Toitū Carbon reduce certified!

14 August, 2024

This is a real win for us, as we know that caring for people and the environment go hand in hand. Toitū is to care for the life of this place, our people and our future, so we are incredibly proud to have achieved this internationally-recognised certification, and the work our staff have done to get to this point.

Gaining this standard is also good news for patients and staff, as it provides assurance that we are providing sustainability-conscious healthcare with a positive vision for the future.

To find out more about our Toitū certification and what we’re doing to reduce our carbon footprint, visit www.carefirst.co.nz/sustainability-waste-management/

Pictured above: Katherine, a Carefirst registered nurse and nurse practitioner in training (and waste management champion), proudly holding our Toitū Envirocare certificate!

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LIVE Magazine – Winter 2024: Taranaki’s GP crisis

6 August, 2024

Have you spotted us in the latest Live Magazine? Our chief executive, Leigh Sampson, spoke to LIVE about the ways Carefirst is future-proofing our workforce to ensure we can meet the needs of our patients in the face of a looming GP crisis. Check out the article in the Winter 2024 Live Magazine and in the pics below (click to enlarge).

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LIVE Magazine – Winter 2024: Expanding services to treat growing skin concerns

19 July, 2024

Have you spotted our Skin Clinic Taranaki team (part of the Carefirst Group) on page 73 of the latest Live Magazine?

Give Skin Clinic Taranaki a call on 06 281 1698 or email reception@skinclinictaranaki.co.nz to book an appointment. Click the link below head to page 73 to read the full LIVE Magazine article

Winter 2024 | Live Magazine

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Carefirst Bell Block Medical Centre official opening

9 July, 2024

The new Carefirst Bell Block Medical Centre is officially open and ready to care for Bell Block and the surrounding communities! Our team are proud to be locals caring for locals.

Tēnā koe/thanks to Dinnie Moeahu, NPDC councillor and Puketapu hapū representative for his guidance and for leading us through the mihi whakatau/welcome to formally open our new Bell Block clinic.

Tēnā koutou/thank you to everyone who came along to our celebrations last night. It was a special, multicultural welcome into the area that truly reflected both our workforce and the community we are so proud to serve.

Tēnā koutou to everyone working hard behind the scenes to make the new clinic a possibility and last, but certainly not least, TĒNĀ KOUTOU to everyone that has enrolled so far, and that have taken the time to welcome Carefirst to the Bell Block community – your kind words are very much appreciated!

Click here to view more images from the mihi whakatau.

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‘Climate action in practice’ – Carefirst features in GP Voice!

25 June, 2024

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Melanoma Awareness Month a crucial reminder for sun protection all year round

31 May, 2024

May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and with New Zealand (NZ) having the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, we can’t be complacent.

More than 80,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in NZ each year, with more than 6000 of those being melanoma. It’s estimated that skin cancers account for 80% of all new cancer diagnoses in NZ each year.

“Those most at risk during the cooler months are people who spend a lot of time outside like farmers and tradies, and those spending time around or on reflective surfaces like snow, ice, concrete, sand, and bodies of water.

“People with health conditions such as an autoimmune disease, those taking medicines (such as antibiotics) that increase sensitivity to the sun, and those with a family history of skin cancer are also at a higher risk,” says Dr Lourens.

While it is nearing the end of Melanoma Awareness Month, Dr Lourens says people should feel positive about the fact that skin cancer is almost entirely preventable, as there is plenty people can do to protect themselves all year round.

All the usual Sunsmart rules still apply; when you’re outside slip into protective clothing, slop on sunscreen (at least SPF30), slap on a hat, wrap on some sunglasses, and where possible stay in the shade.

Early detection of skin cancer and sun damage is also extremely important.

“If melanoma is treated early enough it is almost always curable. You have the best chance of catching skin cancers early with regular skin checks. This is particularly important for those with a family history of skin cancer, who should be having skin checks every year.

“At Skin Clinic Taranaki we offer several skin cancer prevention and detection services including single or multi-spot/lesion checks, full body skin checks and Total Body Imaging. We also offer NAEVUS Mole Mapping, a head-to-toe skin check where detailed images of all your significant moles and lesions are taken,” says Dr Lourens.

Any spots of concern are assessed by one of our doctors, and all images are kept on file for reference at future appointments.

“NAEVUS Mole Mapping and total body imaging is especially useful for long-term monitoring, given that the first sign of skin cancer is often a change in the shape, size, or colour of an existing spot, or the appearance of a new spot.

“There’s no better time than now to step up your skin cancer prevention measures, and if you haven’t been getting regular skin checks, it’s never too late in life to start. We’re here to help,” Dr Lourens adds.

To find out more about how Skin Clinic Taranaki can support you with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and sun damage, visit skinclinictaranaki.co.nz

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Locals caring for locals at new Carefirst Bell Block Medical Centre

27 May, 2024

What do you get when you combine three local general practitioners (GPs) who are passionate about the health of the Bell Block and surrounding communities, and a population in serious need of accessible GP care?

You get Carefirst Bell Block Medical Centre, a new GP clinic scheduled to welcome patients for booked appointments on Tuesday 9 July.

Sharing facilities with Working for Health at 69 Corbett Road, the clinic will be run by doctors Nelia Lourens, Geoff Putt and Amanda Brown. They will be supported by administration manager Cynette Hickin and other nursing and support staff.

Many will already be familiar with Dr Putt, who provides GP care to residents at Kohatu and Norfolk rest homes in Waitara, and Summerset Retirement Village in Bell Block.

With all four senior staff living locally, Dr Lourens says, “We are acutely aware of just how many in our community are struggling to access GP care when they need it most.”

Leigh Sampson, Carefirst chief executive says, “Bell Block and the surrounding areas have experienced significant and rapid growth in recent years, and GP care in the community has simply not kept up. It’s incredibly important that people can access the healthcare they need, close to home.”

Dr Lourens says, “With the support of our Carefirst and Skin Clinic Taranaki colleagues, we are
excited to be making a positive contribution to the community’s wellbeing.”

Sampson adds, “We are committed to ensuring ongoing, equitable and timely healthcare to these wonderful, growing communities.

“As a larger primary healthcare provider with clinics in Westown, Merrilands, Moturoa and now Bell Block, Carefirst is well placed to ensure consistent staffing and access to equitable GP care for all.”

Given the current need for primary care in the area, we are currently accepting enrolments at Carefirst Bell Block for those with an address north of the Waiwhakaiho bridge, giving priority to those who are do not have timely access to GP care. Over time the team will extend service availability to the wider community.

For now, people are encouraged to register their interest with Carefirst Bell Block by calling 06 968 1440 or emailing admin@bellblockmedical.co.nz .

“The Carefirst team have been caring for the people of New Plymouth for over 25 years, and we look forward to the next 25 and beyond in our new Bell Block clinic,” says Dr Lourens.

Click here to read the article featured in the Taranaki Daily News.

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Supporting resilient, capable and healthy Taranaki tradies

5 April, 2024
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L- R: Christina Lorth (BWT general manager), Leigh Sampson (Carefirst CEO), Craig Hattle (Carefirst Board chair), Dr Kyomi Kitagawa (doctor/shareholder), Bronwen Pepperell (nurse practitioner/shareholder), Dr Sarah Carrington (doctor/shareholder), Dr Geoff Putt (doctor/shareholder).

There is no shame in being vulnerable. It is probably one of the best things you will do for yourself.

When is the best time to talk? Probably now.

These are just a couple of the important messages featured on a bespoke piece from artist and wellbeing advocate, Paul Rangiwahia, commissioned by Building Wellness Taranaki (BWT) for the local construction community.

As a proud sponsor of BWT, the Carefirst team were excited to host Christina Lorth, general manager, at a recent Board meeting to discuss our shared vision for the health and wellbeing of Taranaki tradies, and be presented with the artwork which also features Carefirst.

Leigh Sampson, Carefirst CEO said she was delighted to be working with BWT in what was a very natural partnership.

Leigh says, “The wellbeing of this group of workers is very important and we are pleased to work with BWT to foster this. We are humbled and honoured to be part of Paul Rangiwahia’s art, and we will have a piece hanging in each of our three clinics.”

For more information about BWT and the fantastic work it does to support the Taranaki construction community, visit www.buildingwellness.co.nz.
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Flu vaccinations available from Tuesday 2 April

27 March, 2024

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Carefirst encourages all patients to book in for a flu vaccination ahead of the winter months. 

The 2024 flu vaccine is free for:

• people aged 65 years and over
• people aged six months and older who have a long-term medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition
• pregnant people
• children aged four years and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness
• people with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder
• people who are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services.

 If you are not eligible for a funded flu vaccination, the cost is $28.

You can also book in for the new COVID-19 booster at the same time as your flu vaccination if:

• You’re aged 30+ years
• It has been at least 6 months since you had COVID-19 infection
• It has been 6 months since your last COVID-19 booster

To book an appointment for a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination, please phone your clinic reception – click here for contact information. Additional Saturday vaccination clinics will be run on 6, 13 and 20 April.

For more information on flu vaccination, click here. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, click here.

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Measles information

November, 2023

We now have a case of measles in Taranaki. This is being managed by the Taranaki Public Health Unit to reduce the risk of measles spreading in the community.

Symptoms of measles:  7-14 days from exposure, include a fever, cough, runny nose, sore and watery pink eyes. This is followed by a blotchy rash a few days later,

Advice to concerned people:

Check your MMR vaccination status.

People are considered immune to measles if they have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, have had measles previously, or lived in New Zealand before 1969. 

Call the clinic to get vaccinated if you have had only one MMR vaccination and were born after Jan 1969.

You Doctor will likely arrange an phone consults, they will discuss with you coming into the clinic if you need to. 

Contact Healthline or your clinic in the first instance. 

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Free vaccination clinics – July & August 2023

Carefirst are partnering with Tui Ora and Te Whatu Ora – Taranaki to provide free vaccination clinics at our Moturoa Medical Centre, all vaccinations for all ages – FREE. Everyone is welcome.

29th July and 26th August – Moturoa Medical Centre – Giveaways and a sausage sizzle for everyone

You don’t have to be a patient with us – everyone is welcome. You can enrol on the day if you want to join our practice.

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How to preserve your GP for future use

May 2023

Check out the article at the link below which gives advice and ideas about working effectively and efficiently with your GP… they are a precious resource!

Article – How to preserve your GP for future use

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Flu vaccinations 2023

The flu season is just around the corner; be prepared by getting your flu vaccination. These are available for everyone from Monday 3 April 2023.

Below is a list of criteria that makes a patient eligible for a FREE flu vaccinations:

*  Children 6 months to 12 years (inclusive)
*  Pregnant people
*  People aged 65 years and older
*  Maori and Pacific peoples aged 55 to 64 years
*  People aged 6 months to under 65years with an eligible health condition
*  People aged 6 months to under 65 years with serious mental health and addiction conditions

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New Wellness Wall for Carefirst Westown

8 February, 2023

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The 22-metre white wall outside Carefirst Westown has been covered with artistic messages about mental health. The wellness wall pictures were created by wellness advocate and artist Paul Rangiwahia from New Plymouth.

“It’s really exciting. We’ve had a lot of awareness in the community, this is a great challenge, a call to action to say we can take these conversations out there. We can put them wherever,” says Rangiwahia.

CareFirst chief executive Leigh Sampson said, “Our initial goal was to connect us with the community, then it became a mental health connection.”

Click here to read the full article from Taranaki Daily News

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Pride in health

A new website has been launched by a group of medical doctors that is aimed at providing guidance for everyone working with the rainbow community. We are all motivated to ensure that our LGBTQIA+ patients receive safe, proactive and appropriate healthcare. Thanks to Dr Ari Chuang and his team for their work on this. Check out the link Pride in Health

COVID UPDATE

Carefirst Westown is offering all eligible patients a second booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccination.  You can book online at bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz. 
 
We are strongly encouraging all our eligible patients to get a second booster dose, and especially older people/kaumatua (+65yrs). 


Please check your eligibility on the My Covid Record where you can access your vaccination dates. 

You can have your second booster if:

* It has been 3 months since you have tested positive for Covid
   AND
* It is 6 months since your first Covid booster

You can get a booster dose by:
* Making a booking through Book My Vaccine at bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz – (choose 99 Tukapa Street as the location) or by phoning 0800 28 29 26

Current evidence shows that your immunity decreases over time after the Covid vaccine. A second booster dose is recommended no earlier than 6 months after your first booster. 

WINTER ILLS ARE HERE

Winter is here and as we know coughs, colds and flus are extremely common. We are seeing many people with colds and infuenza.  It means we have very few appointments available for semi-urgent or routine care, as we have to make more appointments available for flus. Coughs, colds and flus are usually caused by VIRAL infections of the nose & upper airways, and they affect most adults 2-4 times per year, kids 5-6 times and those in preschool up to 12 times a year!

Wearing a mask when you are in indoor spaces can help reduce the odds of you catching a virus from someone else.

IF YOU GET A COUGH, COLD OR FLU:

• Stay at home
• Do a Covid RAT test. These can be negative at the start of a Covid illness so if symptoms continue, you should re-RAT every 24-48 hours until you are better

SYMPTOMS:
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/cold-the-flu-or-covid-19/

• Blocked or runny nose (yellow or green snot is common, and green snot does not need antibiotics)
• Sneezing
• Feeling generally unwell, tired, headache and achey muscles
• Fever
• Cough (dry or productive). Having a cough does not mean that it has ‘gone to your chest’ or that you necessarily need antibiotics
• Sore throat. If you are at risk of Strep throat (see https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/s/strep-throat/) please contact us for advice.

Symptoms are typically at their worst for 2-3 days and then gradually clear. However, the cough may carry on after the infection has gone and last for 2-4 weeks as the inflammation gradually settles.

HOW TO FEEL BETTER:

• Have plenty to drink, rest and stopping smoking and drinking alcohol if applicable!
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
• Salt (saline) nose drops for babies & vapour rubs for kids and adults can help with nasal congestion in some cases. Older kids and adults can use Otrivin for a few days to ease blocked noses
• Some people find other over the counter cough remedies from the pharmacy can help them manage their symptoms (note there is no evidence that these help particularly); please always discuss safe use with pharmacy
• Honey before bed can ease a cough a little
• If you need pharmacy medications please send someone who is well to get them for you. Sick people need to stay home so they don’t spread their infection to others

Antibiotics do not get rid of colds and your immune system usually clears the infection. In some cases antibiotics are needed; such as for those with underlying lung disease.

WHEN TO WORRY:
Symptoms to consider contacting our nurses about include;

• Wheezing or breathlessness (including if symptoms don’t respond to your normal inhalers if you use these)
• Severe headaches, especially if associated with vomiting, a stiff neck, a rash or difficulty looking at bright light
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood (or if sputum dark or rusty-coloured)
• Becoming drowsy or confused
• Fever lasting more than five days. Or a fever that goes and then comes back
• Dehydration (not passing urine regularly)
• Cough persisting for longer than 3-4 weeks
• If you have a child that has gone downhill and you are worried, please call and speak to a nurse

We are always happy to provide advice and see sick people when needed. If you are unsure, please call and speak to a nurse for help.

VACCINATION:

• It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine! From July 1 it is also free for children aged 3-12, and those with mental health or addiction concerns.

https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/influenza/flu-influenza-vaccines/getting-flu-jab

The government have reduced the interval between a person’s primary vaccination course and the booster from 4 months to 3 months – starting this Friday, 4 February 2022.

Book on line at Bookmyvaccine.co.nz or drop into our Westown clinic to have your vaccine. No appointment is necessary.

This is a significant step in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic as it now means a total of 3,063,823 people aged 18 and over – two thirds of our population – will be eligible for their booster from this weekend. Over 1.3 million people have already got theirs.

The Government is urging every New Zealander who is eligible for a booster to get it as soon as possible. We are in a race against Omicron and the more people who are boosted the more we can reduce the impact of the outbreak.

Bringing forward the booster timing will help those who have been immunised more recently. It will mean more people, especially Māori, will be able to receive a booster before Omicron takes hold in communities.

Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and ending up in hospital. Fewer hospitalisations from COVID-19 will mean our health system can continue to provide the full range of care people need, in particular for our most vulnerable such as people with disabilities or long-term illnesses.

The Carefirst group ask that all eligible patients wear a mask when in our clinics.

The ministry has now mandated that all children from year 4 and older are required to wear masks when at school and in the classroom.  Please note that bandanas, scarves etc are not acceptable as a mask.

If you are concerned about your child wearing a mask you should discuss this in the first instance with your child’s school.

Please refer to the below website for more information about children wearing masks.

https://www.education.govt.nz/school/ministry-bulletin-for-school-leaders-he-pitopito-korero/#sh-masks

Please refer to the below website for more information about mask exemptions

https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/keep-up-healthy-habits/wear-a-face-mask/who-does-not-need-to-wear-a-face-mask/#face-mask-exemptions

Carefirst Westown Urgent Care Services

From the 20th December 2021 our urgent care services for our patients will be reduced.

Our opening hours will be reduced to 9am – 1pm.

Due to covid our urgent care will continue to run a booking system, please call the clinic if you would like to make an appointment.

The Carefirst team apologies for this inconvenience and hope to be back to 9am – 4.30pm service hours as soon as possible.

ZOSTAVAX – Shingles Vaccine

Almost everyone is at risk of shingles because they are likely to have been exposed to chickenpox as some stage in their lives. The Zostavax vaccination prevents shingles and funding for this is changing.

• From the 31 December 2021 it will only be funded once for patients and in their 65^th year.
• The ministry has funded a catch up programme for anyone over 65 who has not yet received their vaccine.
• The vaccine is free for anyone  between 65 and 81 years of age until 31 December 2021.
• Funded vaccines are only available through your GP practice

At Carefirst we are encouraging all patients to book an appointment with one of our nurses to receive a funded Zostavax vaccination before the opportunity expires on the 31 December 2021.

Call your GP practice, Westown, Merrilands or Moturoa medical centre to book an appointment for your vaccine.

COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINATIONS

Carefirst Westown and Merrilands Medical Centre are offering covid-19 vaccinations for everyone, you don’t have to be one of our registered patients to book a vaccine or visit to receive a vaccine.

You can book online for either clinic or you can walk into our Westown clinic without an appointment

From November 29 we will be offering BOOSTER vaccinations.

Book online at bookmyvaccine.co.nz to make an appointment

Visit www.health.govt.nz/my covid record to find out when your booster is due.