The Doctors NZ

13/04/2026

When you enrol📝 with one of our practices, you’ll be able to get access to The Doctors App 📲where you can manage your appointments, request repeat prescriptions, access your health information, and so much more.
Click the link below to find out more:

https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/the-doctors-app

09/04/2026

The seasonal flu is very contagious 😷 and can spread before symptoms appear until several days after symptoms star 🤒. People are most contagious during the first 3-5 days of their illness. Flu germs spread easily through talking, coughing, and sneezing. The best way to protect you and your whānau is by getting a flu vaccine every year. 💪

06/04/2026

🩺Today is World Health Day and this year’s theme is 🔬 “Together for health. Stand with science.” The theme calls for the celebration of 🌎 “the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet.”

We’d like to remind everyone that as we head into the colder months, it’s important that we look after ourselves. Flu season 🤧 is upon us as well, so make sure to get your flu vaccinations so you stay protected this winter.

Our healthcare team is here for you and your whānau 😊

02/04/2026

In 2007, the UN General Assembly designated the 2nd of April as World Autism Awareness Day. The theme for this year is “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value”. 🧠🌈♾️🧩The theme aims to highlight and affirm “the inherent dignity, equal rights, and unconditional worth of every autistic person” according to the UN.

If you have concerns about either for yourself, your children or whānau, you can have a chat with our medical team. We're here for you and your whānau.

Check out resources about autism on:
Autism New Zealand: https://autismnz.org.nz/
Altogether Autism: https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/
The D*List: https://thedlist.co.nz/

31/03/2026

The best protection against the flu is getting a flu vaccine. It takes up to 2 weeks after having your flu vaccine for your body to start protecting against the flu. 💪

Book an appointment for a flu shot at your practice today https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/book-appointment

31/03/2026

FYI, our centres 🏥 will be closed during Good Friday and Easter Monday. It’s a good idea to plan ahead for repeat prescriptions and routine appointments. For urgent or after-hours care🔴, please visit your nearest after-hours facility. For general health advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116. In an emergency, call 111.

*🔴Our urgent care centres (The Doctors Onehunga, The Doctors Middlemore, and Team Medical) will remain open.

Visit our website👆thedoctors.co.nz to find out about centres opening hours.

30/03/2026

🏳️‍⚧️Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility. On this day, we celebrate our trans and non-binary communities in Aotearoa and all over the world.

In the 2023 census, 0.7% of our population were transgender and that number is only growing. To find out more about support, education, and healthcare for trans people, go to genderminorities.com 🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵

19/03/2026

We're also on Instagram now! Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/thedoctorsnz/ or search

16/03/2026

Have some concerns about your skin? Noticed some changes? It might be time for you to get a skin check with your GP. Book an appointment for a skin check here: https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/book-appointment

11/03/2026

Pasifika Festival is back this weekend! Check out the schedule of all the vibrant performances.

10/03/2026

12-month scripts

From Feb 2026, repeat prescriptions are available for longer periods (up to 12 months) for long-term medications when your condition is stable, and no medication alterations are needed. The decision to approve or decline a medication lies with the prescriber. A consultation is required for this to ensure your condition and treatment is appropriate.

09/03/2026

Something not quite right with a mole on your skin? Never had a skin check before or it’s been a long time since you got your skin checked? Well, this is your reminder. Book an appointment to get a skin check today.

Book your appointment here: https://www.thedoctors.co.nz/book-appointment

08/03/2026

Meet the team

Here we introduce (and reintroduce!) you to our team members, so you can get to know the friendly faces behind your care!

Dr Charles Sanders - The Doctors Huapai

Dr Charles Sanders trained at Stellenbosch University in South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 1996 to join The Doctors. His areas of special interest include diving medicine, minor surgery, geriatrics, wellness, and healthy aging.

Outside of work, he enjoys life on his family’s lifestyle block, where he keeps busy tending to his sheep.

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! Today is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women 💜 We’d like to take the opportunity to celebrate all the women in the health workforce, supporting their communities in all parts of country 👩‍⚕️

06/03/2026

Protect your heart with early screening.

Early detection plays a key role in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. A Cardiovascular Risk Assessment (CVRA), also known as a heart check, helps estimate your risk of having a cardiovascular event in the next five years.

CVRAs are carried out by our specialist nurses and include a review of your medical history, lifestyle factors, blood pressure, and relevant blood tests. Follow-up and monitoring is tailored to your individual risk.

Men should screen from ages 45–74 and women from 55–74, though some people may need earlier screening based on risk factors.

If you’re due for a heart check or would like to learn more, please call us to book an appointment with one of our nurses

04/03/2026

Can stress cause a heart attack?

Stress on its own does not directly cause a heart attack. However, the way people respond to ongoing stress can increase their risk. Habits such as drinking too much alcohol, smoking, eating poorly, or being less physically active can all raise the likelihood of heart disease and heart attack over time.
Stress can also play a role in other heart conditions. In rare cases, severe or sudden emotional stress may trigger conditions such as takotsubo cardiomyopathy (often called “broken heart syndrome”) or spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). While uncommon, these conditions highlight the powerful effect stress can have on the heart.

02/03/2026

🆓Free support for managing stress

Our health improvement team can support you with practical strategies to manage stress and make positive lifestyle changes.

Working alongside our clinical team, our Health Improvement Practitioner offers support for enrolled patients of all ages with:

Stress
Anxiety
Sleep
Healthy habits
Parenting
Relationships
Smoking and va**ng
And more...

Our Health Coach offers physical health and wellbeing support to patients aged 18+. This includes education, tools, and strategies when managing long term conditions and/or creating positive lifestyle habits.

Learn more about HIP and HC services here.

HIP and HC appointments are FREE for enrolled patients, and are often available on the same day. Sessions are brief, practical, and focused on tools you can use straight away.

To book, please speak to your GP or nurse, or ask at Reception. No referral needed.

Learn about how Health Improvement Practitioners and Health Coaches work closely with GPs and health professionals at The Doctors Medical Centres.

28/02/2026

Looking after yourself during times of stress

There are practical steps you can take to help manage stress and support your wellbeing:

*Talk about how you’re feeling with friends, whānau, or a health professional
*Stay physically active - even a short daily walk can help
*Make time for activities you enjoy and find relaxing
*Try stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation
*Prioritise sleep and aim for a regular sleep routine
*Eat well, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

If stress is affecting your daily life, or you’re concerned it may be contributing to anxiety or low mood, talk to your GP or other health professional.

27/02/2026

Does stress increase your risk of heart disease?

Short-term stress triggers the release of adrenaline, causing temporary increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Once the stress passes, these changes usually return to normal and do not cause lasting harm.
When stress becomes ongoing, however, it can contribute to long-term health issues. Chronic stress leads to sustained elevation of cortisol, increasing inflammation in the body and potentially damaging blood vessels over time. It can also encourage habits such as reduced physical activity, increased alcohol intake, poorer sleep, and less healthy eating. Together, these factors can contribute to long-term high blood pressure (hypertension), which significantly increases the risk of heart disease.

26/02/2026

Is stress getting you down?

Stress is your body’s natural response to pressure or challenging situations. Common symptoms include:

*Feeling irritable, anxious, or overwhelmed
*Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
*Poor sleep or ongoing fatigue
*Headaches, muscle tension, or stomach problems
*Changes in appetite
*Increased heart rate or palpitations
*Withdrawing from social activities you usually enjoy.

Everyone experiences stress at times, but how we respond to it can make a big difference to our health and wellbeing. Talking with a health professional can help you understand your stress and develop strategies to cope more effectively.

23/12/2025

Summer Skin Care🔅

Looking after your skin now can significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

*Use sunscreen every day (SPF 30+ or higher) on exposed skin, and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.
* Cover up with clothing, including long sleeves, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses.
*Seek shade, especially between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
*Avoid tanning beds and intentional tanning, as they increase skin damage and cancer risk.
*Check your skin every 3 months for new or changing spots, moles, or patches that look different from the rest.
See your GP or a skin specialist if you notice changes or anything unusual.

21/12/2025

Download The Doctors App

If you haven't yet downloaded the app, you still can! Get it from Google Play or the App Store.To register, simply enter your email and select your practice— just make sure your details match what we have on file for you.

Then you can quickly and easily:

Book and manage appointments
Request repeat prescriptions
View lab results and a summary of your health information
Connect directly with our team

Once set up, the app is easy to use and secure with passcode or facial recognition.

Download it today and manage your health anytime, anywhere.

20/12/2025

Melanomas - what to look out for

A Melanoma often starts as a new spot on your skin, but an existing mole can turn into melanoma too.

Common signs to look out for include:

*New moles or growths on the skin
*Changes in size, shape, or colour of existing moles
*Moles that are asymmetrical or have irregular borders
*Variations in colour within a mole
*A mole or spot that looks different from others on your body

SCAN is an easy way to remember the key things to watch for on your skin.
Source: skincancercollege.org

If you notice one or more of the above changes on your skin, book an appointment with your GP or NP.

Your practitioner will look at the area(s) of concern and advise what the next steps are. It’s important you share any relevant history about your skin, including any family history of skin cancer.

Depending on diagnosis, your practitioner may book you for a mole removal or refer you to a specialist service for further assessment, biopsy or removal. Melanoma has many different sizes, shapes and colours. Any change on your skin should be checked by a doctor. If caught and treated early, melanoma is almost always curable.

17/12/2025

Spotting and preventing skin cancer

New Zealand has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, with overexposure to UV radiation from the sun being the main cause.
There are three main types of skin cancer:

1. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It often appears as a pink patch or bump that may bleed or feel itchy. BCCs usually stay in one place and don’t spread around the body, but they can be more concerning on the face because of the delicate structures and the risk of scarring.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a more serious type of skin cancer because it can sometimes spread to nearby lymph glands. SCCs often develop from long-term sun damage or from “sunspots.” They usually look scaly or crusty and may be tender or sore to touch.

3. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, as it can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body, even in areas that don’t get much sun. They can be flat or raised, grow quickly or slowly, and although often dark, they can sometimes be pink or lighter in colour.

Skin checks are a standard service offered by all our medical centres. If you or a family member are experiencing skin conditions that worry you, please book...