Mobile Health Group

21/05/2026

1,000 Patients Treated in Dannevirke!

We’re proud to celebrate a special milestone -1,000 patients cared for by our mobile surgical unit in Dannevirke!

Special thanks to the Tararua District Deputy Mayor Sharon Wards, who played a key role in bringing the mobile surgical unit to Dannevirke in 2007. Your vision has helped make a lasting difference for the community!

Tararua Health Group

Read on: https://mobilehealth.co.nz/1000-patients-treated-in-dannevirke/

21/05/2026

// 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗗𝗿 𝗝𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁-𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀!

From delivering full-spectrum care "from before the cradle to beyond the grave," to advocating for crucial workforce and funding changes at a national level, Jo embodies what it truly means to serve rural communities. His leadership, humility and deep commitment to rural general practice have made a lasting impact across Aotearoa New Zealand – making him a richly deserving recipient of the Local Legend Award.

Read his story here: https://mobilehealth.co.nz/rural-health-advocate-recognised-as-a-local-legend-meet-dr-jo-scott-jones/

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆?

Our 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 celebrate the quiet forces, the advocates and the dedicated health professionals who go above and beyond every day. We want to hear about them!

👇 Nominate your healthcare hero today using our quick online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/8cq1jQEqnF

Rural health advocate recognised as a Local Legend: Meet Dr Jo Scott-Jones May 14, 2026 | Local Legend, News Dr Jo Scott-Jones has long been a quiet force in rural health, but his presentation delivery of the John McLeod Oration at the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference 2026 earlier this yea...

12/05/2026

Not all heroes wear capes – some wear scrubs! Today we celebrate 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. We are incredibly grateful for the nurses we work with inside the organisation, the nurses we work alongside across rural sites, and every nurse across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world – those we know, and those we may never meet, who continue to care with compassion, skill and unwavering dedication. You show up, stand strong and give your all to patients, whanau/families and each other. Thank you for the difference you make every single day ❤️

04/05/2026

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟯 Amidst the livestock and the latest machinery, make sure you carve out ten minutes (or more!) for the most important asset on your farm: yourself. Our 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗯 is back and better than ever, offering free, confidential health checks right in the heart of the event.

We are thrilled to expand our services this year with several new exhibitors joining our regular lineup. In addition to our essential stations for mental health, dental checks, eye health, bowel cancer awareness and more, we are introducing specialised support for ovarian and blood cancers, fertility, and sexual wellbeing. Whether you are looking for resources on age-related care with Age Concern New Zealand, need a skin check Melanoma New Zealand or just want a quick baseline health check, we have a comprehensive range of health experts ready to chat.

The 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗯 is consistently one of the most popular sites for a reason – it truly changes lives. Every year, visitors tell us how grateful they are that they stopped by and many leave with the peace of mind they needed, while others catch vital warning signs early. From spotting a suspicious skin mole to flagging high blood pressure, our experts help identify the things that deserve a follow-up. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁!

A huge shout-out to our incredible event partners Fieldays who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this massive agricultural event to life! Their dedication ensures our 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗯 has a home each year. We are proud to work alongside a team that values the health of our rural communities as much as we do.

And to all of our exhibitors (who unfortunately we can’t tag all on this post due to Facebook restrictions!) who are also putting in the hard yards. The impact of your expertise will be felt long after the site is packed down. There is no better feeling than knowing you’ve helped someone take a vital step toward better health, and we are so proud to have such a dedicated team making a real difference in our community!

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora
Starship Foundation
Bioptron Light and Colour Therapy
University Waikato - Division of Health
Neurological Foundation of New Zealand
Bowel Cancer New Zealand
Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ
Specsavers New Zealand
Fertility Associates
Blood Cancer NZ
Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ
Braemar Hospital
Dental Holistix
Aquapick New Zealand
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
Hospice Waikato
Cure Parkinson's NZ
Heart Foundation NZ
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Laser Eye Centre
Age Concern Waikato
Specsavers Audiology
Rural Support Trust
Health New Zealand - Mental Health & Addiction
Health New Zealand - Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chemist Warehouse
Melanoma New Zealand
Diabetes New Zealand
Brain Tumour Support New Zealand
The Wellness Van by Chemist Warehouse
Groov
Triton Hearing
The Salvation Army
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
The Order of St John
Waikato Region Emergency Management
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

29/04/2026

What does a month on board the Mobile Surgical Unit look like?

Sarah Clarke, Rural Hospital Specialist and Te Whatu Ora National Clinical Director, spent four weeks travelling with the team, seeing first-hand how mobile surgery supports rural communities.
She's shared her reflections with New Zealand Doctor

https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/print-archive/care-travels-life-aboard-rural-surgical-mobile-unit

20/04/2026

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, but that is exactly what our Mobile Surgical clinical team have built together over the years. In March we shared a “see you later” that is particularly hard for our team. Two of our longest-serving clinical members, Diana Korach and Anne Shirtliff, who have been with our Mobile Surgical family for 15 and 18 years, haven’t just provided clinical excellence; they’ve provided a sense of home and safety to the communities we serve and to all of us who have worked alongside them. While it’s hard to imagine the surgical unit without them, we are so incredibly proud of the chapters they are about to write.

Thank you for your tireless service and your wisdom. As you "park" this chapter of your lives and head toward new horizons, we send you off with the deepest gratitude. May your next journey be as rewarding as the one you’ve shared with us.

Read their full stories here: https://mobilehealth.co.nz/33-years-of-friendship-and-surgical-success-a-shared-farewell/

15/04/2026

Apparently the only way that we can top this year’s conference stand is if we have a boat load of puppies next year 😂😍
Well that’s what the people are saying anyway 🤍

My first live painting event and wow was I blown away by the experience!

I wove together attendees’ words, sketches, and reflections of rural health from around the world. Over three days, every contribution became part of a visual tapestry honouring rural Hauora - the challenges, the resilience, and the deep connection between people and place.

The name ‘Whare Tangata’ was gifted by Kaumātua Russell Riki during the closing ceremony, acknowledging the wairua and collective voice embedded within the piece.

A huge honour to work with Mobile Health Group & Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network! And hopefully just the start of more live events for me.

15/04/2026

Whare Tangata - Live artwork created at WONCA 2026

Many of you who attended the 2026 World Rural Health Conference (WONCA) and connected with Ellie Compton - Artist live artwork 'Whare Tangata' can now purchase a print.

The name 'Whare Tangata' was gifted by Kaumātua Russell Riki during the closing ceremony, acknowledging the wairua and collective voice embedded within the piece.

Open‑edition prints are now available online. Purchase here: https://www.elliecompton.com/shop/p/wharetangatalive-artwork-created-at-world-rural-health-conference2026

Every thread connected. Every story honoured.

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
World Organization of Family Doctors - WONCA
21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference
Conference Innovators

13/04/2026

Day 4 of the Rural WONCA 2026 Conference

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network has officially wrapped up an inspiring conference in Wellington - a gathering that celebrated leadership, connection, challenges, and the future of rural health.

This year, three outstanding contributors to rural healthcare were honoured:
🔹 Tania Chamberlain - inaugural Rhoena Davis Wāhine Rangatiratanga Women in Rural Health Leadership Award.
🔹 Julia Jones - Te Waka Kotahitanga Award.
🔹 Dr. Peter Freeman - Peter Snow Memorial Award.

To close the conference, the Patea Māori Club delivered a beautiful performance that filled the room with energy, pride, and aroha.

Ellie Compton - Artist stunning artwork also took centre stage at the closing ceremony. If you shared your story of what Hauora means to you, thank you. Every contribution became a thread in the final piece - every story honoured, every connection woven together.

World Organization of Family Doctors - WONCA

12/04/2026

Day 3 at the Rural WONCA Conference in Wellington was something truly memorable.

Attendees gathered around as Ellie Compton - Artist revealed her incredible artwork: a woven tapestry of our Hauora, our stories, and the lived experiences of rural health in New Zealand communities and around the world. You could feel the room shift. People laughed, shed a tear, nudged a colleague, or smiled quietly as they recognised a moment inspired by them, captured so beautifully in Ellie’s final piece.

Every thread connected. Every story honoured.
It’s a reminder that rural health isn’t just a service; it’s a relationship between people and place, shaped by whakapapa, resilience, and connection.

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
World Organization of Family Doctors - WONCA