Civic Family Health Care

13/05/2026

We are Welcoming New Patients!

Great news – Civic Family Health Care is now open for new patient enrolments!

If you’re looking for a trusted local GP for yourself or your family, we’d love to have you join our practice. Our team is here to provide caring, professional healthcare for our community.

How to enrol:
• Visit our website - https://www.civichealth.co.nz/enrolment
• Or visit us in person to pick up a form

Feel free to share this post with friends or family who may be looking for a doctor.

We look forward to welcoming you 🌿

06/05/2026

🌍 Refugee Health Month

Blenheim is proud to be one of the South Island communities welcoming refugees to Aotearoa New Zealand. At present, many of the families arriving in our region are from the Rohingya community.

Through New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Programme, supported by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), up to 1,500 people are resettled in New Zealand each year. These individuals and families arrive with resilience and hope, beginning a new chapter in a safe and supportive environment.

🏥 Healthcare Support in Marlborough
Civic Family Healthcare is one of the General Practice (GP) teams across Marlborough play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of former refugees. From initial health assessments to ongoing care, local healthcare providers help ensure families can settle into their new lives with access to essential services.

❤️ The Role of the New Zealand Red Cross
The New Zealand Red Cross provides incredible support from day one of arrival. Their work helps refugees:
- Settle into new homes
- Navigate essential services like healthcare and education
- Build connections within the community
- Develop independence and confidence in their new environment

Their dedicated volunteers and staff are integral in helping families feel welcomed, safe, and supported.
👉 Learn more about the Red Cross refugee support programme:
https://www.redcross.org.nz/about-us/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/supporting-refugees/the-refugee-journey

15/04/2026

Children | Tamariki Health Month
Common Skin Rashes/Infections Info Series

These images are examples of School sores (impetigo)

What are school sores?

School sores (impetigo) are skin infections. They are often called 'school sores' because they are common in school-aged tamariki and spread easily.

Signs and symptoms of school sores

School sores can be anywhere on the body. But they most often appear on exposed areas such as:
- the face (near the mouth and nose)
- hands
- arms
- legs
They may start as a blister or a group of blisters. The blister bursts leaving a patch of red, wet skin which weeps or oozes. The sore usually becomes coated with a light brown or yellowish crust. This makes it look like it has been covered with honey.
School sores can grow larger day by day. There can be small spots around the first sore, spreading outwards. School sores can be itchy.

How school sores spread?

- touching infected skin and then touching others
- contact with infected clothing, towels, sponges or face-cloths
- touching things that a child with school sores has also touched (such as toys)
School sores spread easily while they are weeping or oozing. Usually, they stop spreading about one day after the start of antibiotic treatment, and healing has begun.

For more info click on the website below
https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/school-sores

12/04/2026

🚧Important Notice: Temporary Changes to Parking and Traffic Flow 🚧

Dear Patients

We would like to inform you that maintenance work will be carried out on the public toilets located in the foyer and adjacent to our carpark. This essential work is estimated to take approximately four weeks to complete and has already commenced over the weekend.

During this time, patient parking availability and the flow of traffic in and out of the carpark will be affected. There may be periods of reduced access, congestion, or altered pedestrian pathways.

Patient Safety 🚸
Your safety is our priority. We kindly ask all patients and visitors to:
Take extra care when navigating the carpark and surrounding areas
Be alert for construction vehicles, workers, and temporary barriers
Allow additional time for arrival and departure where possible

Alternative Parking 🅿️
If parking onsite is limited, alternative parking is available across the road at Woolworths. Please ensure you park considerately and allow sufficient time to walk safely to the practice.

Council Carpark Time Limits ⏱️
For those using nearby council carparks, please be mindful of posted time limits, fees and parking restrictions, as these will continue to apply during the maintenance period. We recommend checking signage carefully to avoid the risk of parking infringements.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation while these improvements are completed. If you have any concerns or require assistance when attending your appointment, please speak with our reception team.

Regards,
Civic Family Health Care Team 💙

02/04/2026

Civic Family Health | Meet the Team | Tiffany Lee👩‍⚕️

Tiffany completed her General Practice training in Calgary, Canada in 2022. Since then, she has worked in general practice, maternity and newborn care, and women’s health in Canada before coming to Civic. She enjoys the variety that general practice offers as well as the opportunity to build relationships with patients. She has a particular passion for supporting women’s health and caring for infants and young families.

Outside of her clinical work, she is an avid adventurer who enjoys tramping, camping, skiing, and exploring beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand. She also loves food and a good book. She is excited to be part of the amazing team at Civic.

We are thrilled that Tiffany has come to call Blenheim home and joined the Civic Health Team for this coming year and she has appointments available now.

25/03/2026

From 1st April 2026 you are able to have the flu vaccine 💪

The flu vaccine is free for people at higher risk of getting very sick, including:
- people aged 65 years and over
- people aged 6 months and over who have a long-term medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition
- pregnant people
- Tamariki (children) aged 4 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.
The funded flu vaccine for tamariki and adults (6 months of age and over) available in Aotearoa New Zealand is called Influvac Tetra.

Flu vaccination is available for $40 for those who do not meet the funded criteria above.

Call 035780199 to book appointments for yourself and your family today 🙂

11/03/2026

Happy World Kidney Day 2026 💚

Request a test next time you're in visiting your GP!

Tomorrow is World Kidney Day 2026💚

We’ll be in Dunedin and Hawke’s Bay tomorrow, and will continue testing across the country throughout the year - so keep an eye out for when we’re in your area.

https://www.loveyourkidneys.co.nz/

05/03/2026

Civic Family Health | Meet the Team | Claire Livingston 👩‍⚕️

Claire is our resident clinical pharmacist. She graduated with a Master of Pharmacy degree from the University of Manchester in 2004 and has worked in community and hospital pharmacy both here and in the UK before joining us in general practice at Civic. She has a Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy and has just completed her qualification to become a Pharmacist Prescriber.

Claire can assist you with medication optimisation and education of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, gout, heart failure, asthma and COPD. Claire can also provide 3 and 6 monthly medication reviews and assist with weight loss medication as part of a wrap around service to support with lifestyle changes.

Claire is a very knowledgeable and caring clinician, and we love having her as part of our Civic team. When she's not at work Claire enjoys spending time with her family and being outside in the great New Zealand outdoors 🌿

04/02/2026

❤️ What happens in a heart check? ❤️

During a heart check, together with a nurse you will
estimate your risk of having a heart attack in the next five years,
and discuss options and choices to protect your heart.

Together with your nurse, you are likely to:

• discuss any family history of heart attack or stroke
• measure your blood pressure, height, weight and waist
circumference
• discuss blood test results
• talk about risk factors such as smoking, activity and diet.

Things you may like to think about
• What would your risk mean for you and your family? What would
it mean in a few years time?
• What does my doctor or nurse recommend as the best way for
me to lower my risk?
• What would I like to do to lower my risk?

Book your 1/2 price appointment today!

21/01/2026

How Civic Family Health Care can help you achieve some of the most common health care goals:

✔️ Self‑Care: Diet, Exercise & Sleep
Most people want to feel better day‑to‑day — more energy, better mood, and a routine that actually works for them.
Diet: building balanced, sustainable eating habits
Exercise: finding movement you enjoy and can stick with
Sleep: improving sleep patterns and creating a restful routine
Health Improvement Practitioner Sophie is available for one‑on‑one support, practical advice, and simple, achievable goals that lead to real, positive outcomes.

✔️ Weight Loss & Healthy Body Management
Weight loss is one of the most common goals, but it’s also one of the hardest to navigate alone.
Education around healthy eating and activity
Guidance on free community services
Support with medical weight‑loss options when appropriate
Clinical Pharmacist Claire can help you understand your options and build a safe, personalised plan that fits your lifestyle.

✔️ Quitting Smoking or Va**ng
A huge goal for long‑term health — and one that becomes much easier with the right support.
Free advice and coaching
Strategies to manage cravings and triggers
Connections to free community services that specialise in quitting
Health Coach Chris offers friendly, judgment‑free support to help you quit smoking or va**ng for good.

Feel free to call 03 5780199 and book an appointment - we have appointments with Sophie, Claire and Chris available now!

Civic Family Health Care