Beachhaven Birkdale Medical

17/12/2025

☀️ STAY SUNSAFE THIS SUMMER 🏖️

With the weather heating up, here’s a friendly reminder on how to be SunSmart this Kiwi summer 👇

👕 SLIP on some protective clothing
🧴 SLOP on sunscreen
👒 SLAP on a wide-brim hat
🕶️ WRAP on some sunnies

And remember, choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance. Apply it 20 minutes before heading outside and reapply every two hours.

Learn more about sun protection at sunsmart.org.nz

www.bbmedical.co.nz

16/12/2025

Here’s a gentle reminder from the Words to Heal You team. If this season feels heavy, please know you’re not alone. Sending you care and love over the festive period ❤️

09/12/2025

📣 REMINDER: MEN’S HEALTH MATTERS ALL YEAR ROUND 💙

Movember might be done, and the moustaches might be gone, but the need to look after yourself remains the same.

No matter what you’re into, every fella needs a few basics: eat well, move a bit, go easy on the booze, and ditch the smokes and vapes. Simple as.

And as you clock up a few more birthdays, there are a couple of extra checks worth keeping an eye on too. Think of it like giving yourself a WOF, just without the hassle of finding a park.

Swipe through for the key things to check in each decade of life 👇

08/12/2025

🎄 FEELING THE YEAR-END RUSH? 😴

The lead-up to Christmas can feel full on, and it’s easy to get swept up in the busy days and long to-do lists.

If things are starting to feel a bit heavy, take a moment to rest or ask for support. Sometimes, a short pause is all you need, and things feel easier when you don’t carry them alone.

Be kind to yourself as we head into the holiday season. ✨

www.bbmedical.co.nz

04/12/2025

🎄 WORRIED ABOUT MONEY THIS CHRISTMAS? YOU’RE NOT ALONE 💙

Christmas can be an expensive and stressful time. If you’re worried about your finances, please remember it’s completely normal, and you’re not the only one feeling this way.

The Mental Health Foundation has put together a free guide with simple, practical tips to help ease financial stress during the silly season and beyond. It’s a supportive resource with ideas for planning ahead, looking after your wellbeing, and making Christmas more manageable.

Check it out here 👉 https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/resource/Wellbeing-tips-for-managing-financial-stress

Take care of yourself this season. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. 💛

www.bbmedical.co.nz

19/11/2025

With asbestos recently appearing in the news, WorkSafe is reminding tradies and businesses that there are no excuses for failing to protect workers and others from the risks of asbestos exposure.

Learn how to protect yourself and others at 👉 https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/asbestos/asbestos-awareness-week/

18/11/2025

☀️ HELLO SUNSHINE? HELLO SUNSCREEN! 🧴

Summer is on our doorstep. Here's a friendly reminder to keep your skin protected by:

🛡️ Using lots of sunscreen and reapplying it often.
Any parts of your body that you cannot cover need sunscreen. Rub sunscreen into clean, dry skin 20 minutes before going outside.

✅ Choosing the right sunscreen.
Always use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

🥄 Using enough sunscreen.
Aim for about one teaspoon for the major parts of your body, including each arm, each leg, your front and your back.

📆 Checking your sunscreen's expiry date.
Expired sunscreen will not protect you.

Here's to enjoying the sunshine safely and making the most of the warmer days ahead.

www.bbmedical.co.nz

14/11/2025

🧰 NUTS & BOLTS: SUPPORTING MEN’S HEALTH 💙

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, but early diagnosis and treatment give you an excellent chance of coming out the other side A-OK.

Movember’s Nuts & Bolts tool covers the essentials, from understanding risk factors and checking your nuts to knowing what to do if something does not feel right.

It also includes practical tips to support your mental health, including ways to improve sleep, manage stress, stay active, and stay connected.

Take a few minutes today to look after yourself. It could make all the difference. Learn more here 👉 https://nutsandbolts.movember.com/

www.bbmedical.co.nz

Whether you’re facing testicular cancer, supporting someone through their journey or simply wishing to learn more, Nuts & Bolts has the resources you need.

13/11/2025

🌿 STAY SAFE WHEN GARDENING 🌿

Did you know that inhaling dust from potting mix or compost can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection that can be life-threatening?

Protect your lungs by following these simple steps:

👉 Use potting mix or compost outside
😷 Wear a well-fitting face mask (N95 or respirator is best)
🧤 Wear gloves when handling potting mix or compost
✂️ Open bags carefully with scissors, away from your face
💧 Dampen the mix first to reduce dust
🧼 Wash your hands thoroughly after gardening and before touching your face or removing your mask

Taking a few extra precautions can make all the difference. Stay safe while enjoying your garden this season. 🌸

www.bbmedical.co.nz

11/11/2025

👀 IS IT MEASLES OR CHICKENPOX? 🌡️

With measles spreading in New Zealand, it’s important to know the difference between measles and chickenpox. The two are sometimes mixed up, but they’re very different illnesses, and measles is more severe.

Here’s what to look for:

MEASLES

Starts with:

🔥 a high fever
👁️ red, itchy eyes
😮‍💨 a cough
🤧 and a runny nose

A rash follows, beginning on the face and spreading across the body.

CHICKENPOX

Starts with:

🩹 itchy blisters all over the body

It often comes with a mild to moderate fever and tiredness.

Both viruses can cause serious illness, and measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, or hearing loss.

Thankfully, both illnesses have vaccines. Check you’re up to date with your immunisations for the best protection.

www.bbmedical.co.nz

10/11/2025

⚡ OUR POWER'S BACK ON! ⚡

Good news! The practice now has power again, and all our systems, including phones, are back up and running.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we managed the outage earlier today. We truly appreciate everyone's support.

Here's to a smoother week ahead!

www.bbmedical.co.nz

09/11/2025

⚡ WE'RE EXPERIENCING A POWER OUTAGE ⚡

A nearby transformer has blown, causing a power outage at the practice. As a result, all of our systems, including our phones, are currently down.

We're doing our best to contact patients with appointments that need rescheduling, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we wait for power to return.

We'll share an update as soon as everything is back up and running.

www.bbmedical.co.nz