Family Health Matters

01/10/2025

It was a pleasure to attend the "Upskilling for Your Menopause Journey" session with Nikki Bezzant last night, held as part of Mana Wāhine Week 2025. Nikki is a respected writer, speaker, journalist, and author with a focus on health, wellbeing, and science. She is the author of the #1 bestselling book This Changes Everything: The Honest Guide to Menopause and Perimenopause, and her latest 2024 release, The Everything Guide: Hormones, Health and Happiness in Menopause, Midlife and Beyond.

See more events here;

Mana Wāhine Week 2025 will take place over 29 Sept - 3 Oct in Tāmaki (East Auckland). The week is going to be full of workshops, wānanga, healing, connection, kai and joy. Spaces to talk about everything in the life cycle of being a woman - periods, virginity, fertility, miscarriage, menopause an...

24/09/2025

Our clever little builders are getting creative with our new magnetic blocks! Come in and showcase your incredible structures, and we’ll snap a photo, print it out, and add it to our notice board. We can’t wait to see what you create!

24/09/2025

Are Nurse Practitioners the same as GP doctors?
No – and that’s exactly the point.

Nurse Practitioners in New Zealand are autonomous, highly trained clinicians with advanced nursing qualifications and years of experience. We’re authorised prescribers under the Medicines Act, with the same legal authority to prescribe medicines as doctors, dentists, midwives, and optometrists.

We diagnose, treat, prescribe, and plan care independently – but through a nursing lens that’s grounded in holistic, person-centred care.

We’re not “just like doctors” – we’re Nurse Practitioners.

Read the full blog here: https://www.familyhealthmatters.nz/blog/are-nurse-practitioners-the-same-as-gp-doctors-not-quite-and-thats-the-point

In today’s complex healthcare environment, it’s understandable that many people still ask the question: “Are Nurse Practitioners the same as GP doctors?” The short answer? No – we’re not the same. We’re different. But that difference is not a limitation – it's a strength. What Is a N...

22/09/2025

🌺 To our valued clients and community 🌺

We want to inform you that, effective 01 October 2025, there will be a slight increase in our fees.

This decision was not made lightly. As costs continue to rise and we work to maintain the quality, care, and service you deserve, this adjustment will help ensure we can continue delivering the standard you’ve come to expect from us.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support, trust, and patience. Your loyalty means the world to us, and we remain committed to serving you with transparency and integrity.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we're here for you.

Please see the link below to view our new fees, effective 01 October 2025.

> 17 years - $30.00                         Double appt fee  $52.00  Initial/1st appointment fee  $52.00 (30 mins)

20/09/2025

Wishing a joyful birthday to our beloved Michal l!Here's to celebrating many more birthdays together, and may your day be filled with laughter and fun. 🎈

18/09/2025

Got a 20-minute appointment coming up? Here's how to make the most of it.

At our Nurse Practitioner clinic, we aim to give you thorough, personalised care within the time available. Our standard appointments are 20 minutes long—just enough to properly address one or two health concerns.

Here’s how to prepare and what to expect:

Before your visit:

👉Write down your main concern(s)
👉Be specific about your symptoms (when they started, how severe, what makes them better or worse)
👉Bring a list of your medications and supplements
👉Share any personal research or questions you have

During your appointment:
👉We’ll take your history, do a focused exam if needed, and create a treatment plan
👉We may recommend follow-up tests or additional visits

Need to cover more than one or two issues?

Book a double appointment (30 minutes) so we can give each concern the attention it deserves.

Your time is valuable—and so is your health. A little preparation goes a long way.

Read our guide here; https://www.familyhealthmatters.nz/blog/a-guide-to-your-20-minute-consultation-at-our-nurse-practitioner-clinic

Getting the Most Out of Your Appointment At our clinic, your health is our priority. We aim to provide thorough, compassionate care within the time available. To help you get the most out of your standard 20-minute appointment , we’ve prepared this guide on how to prepare, what to expect, and when

17/09/2025

Looking for a new Primary Health Care Provider for you or your family?

Choosing the right Primary Care Provider is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health.

It’s not just about credentials — it’s about communication, trust, and whether they actually listen.

Here are a few questions to ask during your first visit or consultation:

— What’s your approach to preventive care?
— How do you involve patients in decisions?
— Do you offer telehealth or same-day visits?
— What’s your stance on lifestyle changes vs. medications?
— Do you have experience with patients like me?

We have created an easy checklist to help you find the right fit, plus a blog post on what to look for — and what to avoid.

https://www.familyhealthmatters.nz/blog/choosing-the-right-practitioner-for-you

16/09/2025

What are the early symptoms of dementia?

The early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can vary; however, there are broad similarities shared between them all. These similarities include the most common sign of memory loss and the loss of practical abilities, both of which can lead to somebody withdrawing from work or social activities.

Dementia affects each person differently. No two people will have symptoms that develop in the exact same way. Your personality, general health and social situation are all unique factors that can determine the impact dementia is likely to have on your day-to-day life.

Read more here; https://www.alzint.org/about/symptoms-of-dementia/

11/09/2025

Our Enrolled patients can now "self register" to the Manage My Health patient portal where you can send us communications, make appointments and request repeat prescriptions.

Self register now;

https://app.managemyhealth.co.nz/er/FHMG?fbclid=IwY2xjawMrUTFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnFakCJI63NtXTNbajFz-2qvIL4AqIAutrjyzXUlQj84Qelw4xb7itvF991t_aem_J44wdBgmwF1ZzlsYfz_1aA

ManageMyHealth™ is a secure health portal that provides 24/7 access to your health records, video consultations, hospital letters, referrals, appointment bookings, repeat prescriptions, and direct messaging with your doctor

10/09/2025

Bowel screening starting age being lowered to 58!

The age at which people can start taking part in free bowel screening is being lowered from 60 to 58 years old. Currently, people can have free bowel screening from the age of 60 to 74.

Lowering the age to 58 means that at least 122,000 more people will be eligible for screening over the first year. An estimated 771 additional bowel cancers and 566 additional deaths will be prevented over 25 years.

If you are turning 58, or are already 58, you do not need to do anything. You will be mailed your bowel screening kit around your next birthday or be contacted by a local health provider, once age extension is introduced in your area.

People turning 60 will receive a kit around their birthday as part of the existing programme, whether or not the lower age range is available in their area yet.

Now is a great time to make sure we have your correct address, so that we send your bowel screening kit to the right place. If your address has changed, update the details with us, or email your new address to us at reception@fhm.co.nz.

09/09/2025

What an honour to attend the 2025 NZ Primary Health Care Awards as a judge! I was blown away by the incredible talent and dedication on display — such an inspiring celebration of the very best in Primary Healthcare across Aotearoa.

We’re especially proud of our Practice Manager, Petrina, who was a finalist for Business Manager of the Year! Her leadership has driven continuous innovation at Family Health Matters, always with one goal in mind - "We are focused on our core values, treating people, not patients or chart numbers and we always strive for better outcomes for our patients". From improving systems to championing patient-focused initiatives, her impact is both strategic and deeply personal.

Congratulations to all the finalists — the future of primary care is in great hands.

09/09/2025

MEN, PAY ATTENTION TO THESE WARNING SIGNS!

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men — but early detection can save your life.

Know the warning signs:

👉Trouble starting or stopping urination

👉Weak or interrupted urine flow

👉Frequent urination, especially at night

👉Pain or burning during urination

👉Blood in urine or semen

👉Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis

👉Erectile dysfunction

👉Unexplained fatigue or weight loss

Why it’s important to get checked early:

Catching prostate cancer early means more treatment options, less invasive procedures, and a MUCH better chance of recovery. Many men have no symptoms — so even if you feel fine, screening is key.

In New Zealand the guidance is that men should chat with their Primary Care Practitioner about getting tested for prostate cancer using a simple blood test from the age of 50 onwards or younger if you have a family history or higher risk.

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Your health matters. Your life matters.