The Doctors Marshlands

20/11/2025

Tips for preventing or improving type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes


Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or improved by making lifestyle changes including:

*Healthy eating: Eat a balanced diet. Consider how much and when you eat, being mindful of carb, fibre, fat and salt intake. Find healthy and delicious diabetes-friendly recipes.
*Being active: Regular physical activity helps your cells use insulin and lowers your blood sugar
*Getting enough sleep: Poor sleep can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

All of these are important to your long-term health. If you’re struggling with your eating, exercise or sleep habits, please seek support and advice from our expert clinical team. We’re here to support your health and well-being.

17/11/2025

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is when the level of glucose in your blood is too high.

If it’s not controlled, it can damage the organs in your body. The amount of glucose in your body is controlled by hormones - primarily insulin. With diabetes, your body is unable to produce insulin, or it doesn’t respond properly to the insulin it produces.

Types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes:
This is an auto-immune condition where the body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so not enough is produced. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood and can appear suddenly, often after a viral infection. Type 1 diabetes isn’t lifestyle related.

Type 2 diabetes:
When your body can’t use insulin effectively. The insulin-making cells in your pancreas produce insulin, but the insulin isn’t working well. About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2, and it's one of the fastest growing preventable health conditions in New Zealand.

Gestational diabetes:
When a pregnant woman who was not known to have diabetes before pregnancy develops high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. About 4-8% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If left untreated it can lead to problems for both mum and baby. Usually, it goes away after giving birth but may recur in future pregnancies.

Pre-diabetes:
Pre-diabetes is when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. People with pre-diabetes can make lifestyle changes to reverse diagnosis.

Common symptoms include:
*Unexplained weight loss
*Frequent urination
*Extreme hunger
*Irritability
*Excessive thirst
*Extreme tiredness
*Blurred vision
*Slow healing cuts and bruises

If you notice any of the above symptoms in you or a family member, it’s important to talk to a GP for testing, diagnosis and treatment.

14/11/2025

Tips for your appointment

Appointments are a standard 15-minute consultation. We have capacity to cover no more than 2 topics of concern.

If you have 3+ topics you’d like to discuss, please book a double appointment
Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled consultation, to allow time for any admin.

11/11/2025

Men's Coffee and Chat Group
10-11AM every Friday

Hosted by Wayne (Health Coach), we are pleased to bring you a men's coffee☕ and chat group. The chat group runs every Friday, with the first kicking off on 5 December.

Fridays, 10 - 11am (from 5 Dec)
Rowdy Kitchen Cafe

There's no pressure or agenda. Just a welcoming space to chat about health and wellbeing, or whatever's on your mind.👬

Register at Reception or just turn up. Feel free to bring a mate and we look forward to seeing you there!

09/11/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Wayne - our new Health Coach at The Doctors Marshlands

Wayne brings more than 12 years of community mental health experience, supporting people through life's ups and downs. He focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies that help individuals improve their physical health, manage stress, and make sustainable lifestyle changes aligned to their goals. Known for his warm, non-judgemental style, Wayne works alongside each person at their own pace.

Outside of the practice, you can find him on a motorcycle road trip or hiking quiet tracks, staying grounded by movement, connection, and time outdoors.

Appointments with Wayne are FREE for enrolled patients. To book with Wayne, please talk to your GP or ask at Reception.

07/11/2025

Measles Outbreak - Free vaccines

Measles is highly infectious. This year in Aotearoa New Zealand we have already had cases of measles.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is now FREE in New Zealand for adults and children.

After one dose of the vaccine, around 95% of people are fully protected, and after 2 doses, 99% of people are fully protected.

The MMR vaccine is the best form of protection against measles.
Book your free MMR vaccine today at one of our medical centres! If you or your whānau feel unwell, please stay home and call us before visiting.

Learn more: https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles

16/09/2025

🏠 Moving soon? You may not need to change healthcare providers! With over 65 medical centres nationwide, we can help you transfer to one of our other practices.

Speak to our team before you go to find out more.

View our full list of medical centres here: https://thedoctors.co.nz/

14/09/2025

Prostate checks are a simple way to look after long-term health, sexual function, and quality of life.

💠 When to start the conversation?
- If you’re 50+ (and have a prostate), have a chat with your GP about screening.
- If you have a family history (dad/brother diagnosed before 65) or you’re Māori or Pacific, talk to your GP earlier — from 40–45.
- Screening isn’t usually recommended over 70, but your GP can advise based on your health.
- Noticed changes (peeing more often, pain, blood, etc.)? Don’t wait — book in.

💠 What to expect?
- Most people start with a PSA blood test. A higher result doesn’t always mean cancer, but it may mean further checks.
- Depending on results, your GP might suggest a digital re**al exam, repeat PSA, or a specialist referral.
- We’ll talk you through the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Learn more:

Men should be proactive in taking responsibility for their health & wellbeing, and getting tested regularly. More options are available if prostate cancer is detected before it causes symptoms (not common in the early stages). Not all doctors are proactive in promoting prostate cancer testing so men...

11/09/2025

Regular cervical screening picks up early HPV changes and can prevent most cervical cancers.

▪ Who’s it for?
If you’re 25–69 and have a cervix, you’re due every 5 years — even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine. First timer? Book your first test at 25.
If you have unusual bleeding, pain, or discharge, please see your GP now — don’t wait.

▪ How it works
You can do a quick vaginal swab yourself in a private space at our clinic. Many people find it faster and more comfortable than a smear. It checks for HPV, and results go straight to your GP. If HPV is found, we’ll guide you through the next steps.

To book a smear, please call us.

Learn more:

Cervical screening every 5 years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Find out how to get cervical screening.

08/09/2025

There are a variety of contraception or birth control methods that prevent pregnancy, each with pros and cons. 👍👎

If you're considering contraception, your chosen method will come down to personal preference, and how your body feels. Here we compare some of the most common contraceptive options available. 💊

We recommend talking through the available options with a GP or Nurse Practitioner. If one method is giving you negative side effects impacting your life, please come back and see us, so that we can look at another option for you.

Some contraceptives may also be subsidised - ask your GP or NP to find out more.

To book an appointment, please use The Doctors App or call us on 03 385 3114.

04/09/2025

A reminder that we offer confidential, supportive sexual & reproductive healthcare.

We can help with:

- Contraception (pills, IUDs, implants, emergency contraception)
- Pregnancy testing & options counselling
- STI & HIV testing/treatment (incl. access to PrEP)
- Cervical screening — self-test swab or clinician smear
- HPV vaccination (ages 9–26)
- Prostate checks
- Support for sexual concerns
- Reproductive health care: preconception, fertility, menopause

To book an appointment, please use The Doctors App or call us on 03 385 3114.

28/07/2025

Skip the calls — manage your health anytime with The Doctors App!

✅ Book and manage appointments
✅ Request repeat prescriptions
✅ View lab results
✅ Access a summary of your health info
✅ Connect with your GP team

It’s quick, easy, and all in one place, whenever it suits you.

📲 Download it now from the App Store or Google Play! For learn more here: https://thedoctors.co.nz/app