The Doctors NZ

16/07/2025

Have you recently welcomed a baby to your whānau? Your baby’s first immunisations start at 6 weeks – it’s the first step in protecting them from serious illnesses. Learn more: https://info.health.nz/immunisations/when-to-immunise

15/07/2025

Is your child’s immunisations up to date? Immunisations for tamariki under 18 on the National Immunisation Schedule are free. Give your medical centre a call if you’re unsure – our team are happy to help!

Check the National Immunisation Schedule here: https://info.health.nz/immunisations/national-immunisation-schedule

10/07/2025

Struggling to breathe this winter? You’re not alone. 1 in 6 Kiwis live with a respiratory condition, and colder weather can make symptoms worse. Our practices offer support for a range of respiratory conditions to help improve your quality of life. https://thedoctors.co.nz/services/respiratory-healthcare

07/07/2025

Skip the calls! The Doctors App makes it easy to manage your healthcare, whenever it suits you.
- Book, change, or cancel appointments quickly
- Get reminder notifications
- Order repeat prescriptions & choose your pharmacy
- View your health records

Available at most of our practices when you’re an enrolled patient. Learn more here: https://thedoctors.co.nz/app

02/07/2025

Did you know? Many of our medical centres have Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and Health Coaches as part of the team, to support your mental health and wellbeing. https://thedoctors.co.nz/patient-hub/-health-improvement-practitioners-and-health-coaches

02/07/2025

We’re making exciting improvements to how we deliver care across the region!

✔ Greater choice: Enjoy access to a wider range of services, including minor surgery, ear suction, diabetic reviews, and immigration medicals through The Doctors Tauranga.

✔ Acute care: Acute walk-in care is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm at The Doctors Tauranga, no appointment necessary. This clinic is for enrolled patients who experience sudden illness, accidents or injuries that do not appear to be life threatening but cannot wait until the next day.

✔ More flexibility: From 14 July 2025, you’ll be able to book practitioner appointments at The Doctors Welcome Bay, The Doctors Bureta, or The Doctors Tauranga. Please be aware that if you are booking with a GP or NP that you have not seen before, a double appointment may be required to allow enough time for the practitioner to review your medical history. For chronic condition management, we recommend that you see your current GP/NP.

We look forward to supporting you with these improved services! Please keep an eye on your inbox and on our page for updates.

01/07/2025

Feeling a bit low this winter? Shorter days, colder weather, and less time outdoors can take a toll on our mood and energy levels. For some, these feelings may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

If you’re worried, book a consult with our team: https://thedoctors.co.nz/patient-hub/book-an-appointment-online

30/06/2025

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in NZ. Also known as colorectal or colon cancer, it affects the colon (large bowel) and re**um, and men are more affected than women.

⚠ It can develop without any warning signs, but 90% of cases can be treated successfully if caught early.

Watch for symptoms like:
- Bleeding from the bottom
- Ongoing changes in bowel habits
- Persistent tummy pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling unusually tired or weak

Anyone with symptoms, no matter their age, should see a GP. You may also need earlier or more regular testing if you have a family history of bowel cancer.

Free bowel screening is available in NZ every two years for those aged 60–74. If you're Māori or Pacific, you’ll be invited to screen from age 50.

📬 It’s a simple test sent to your home that checks for early signs of cancer, before symptoms appear.

Learn more here:

A bowel screening test is for people who do not have any obvious symptoms of the disease. Discover more here:

30/06/2025

Our dads, partners, brothers and mates deserve to live longer and stronger!

We offer comprehensive men’s health services, from general check-ups to mental health and lifestyle support.

What we can help with:
- Health assessments
- Heart checks
- Prostate & testicular health
- Sexual health
- Mental health support & lifestyle advice

Learn more at: https://thedoctors.co.nz/services/mens-health

26/06/2025

Feeling under the weather this winter? If you need to see a GP at short notice, The Doctors Online offer same-day online appointments! Book in under 2 minutes at https://www.thedoctorsonline.co.nz

24/06/2025

Did you know that Nurse Practitioners can provide almost all the same services as a GP? If your practice has a Nurse Practitioner, we encourage you to book with them – especially if they have earlier appointment times than your regular GP. https://thedoctors.co.nz/patient-hub/nurse-practitioners

19/06/2025

✨ Mānawatia a Matariki ✨

Matariki is a special time in Aotearoa – a time to remember those we've lost, celebrate the present with those around us, and look to the future with hope.

As the Matariki stars return to our sky, it's a beautiful opportunity to slow down, reconnect with whānau, and reflect on what matters most.

From all of us at The Doctors, we wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and meaningful Matariki.

18/06/2025

🌟 Mānawatia a Matariki! 🌟

A reminder that some of our practices will be closed on Friday, 20 June to observe Matariki.

If you need care while we are closed, please visit your nearest after-hours urgent care clinic or call Healthline anytime on 0800 611 116 for general health advice. In an emergency, call 111.

Wishing you and your whānau a safe and happy Matariki weekend. ✨

16/06/2025

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in NZ, but 90% of cases can be treated successfully if caught early.

⚠️ This bowel cancer awareness month, we urge you to get to know the symptoms. Anyone, no matter their age, with one or more of the below symptoms or concerned about their bowel health, should see a GP:

- Bleeding from the bottom
- Changes in bowel motions/habits that come and go over several weeks
- Persistent tummy pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling unusually tired or weak

Learn more at https://bowelcancernz.org.nz/

16/06/2025

Living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease? We’re here to help. https://thedoctors.co.nz/services/chronic-health-conditions-management

12/06/2025

Skip the calls! The Doctors App makes it easy to manage your healthcare, whenever it suits you.

☑️ Book and manage appointments
☑️ Request repeat prescriptions
☑️ View lab test results
☑️ Access a summary of your health information
☑️ Connect with your general practice team

The Doctors App is available for download on mobile devices and is also accessible via web browsers. 💻📱

👉Download it now: https://thedoctors.co.nz/app

10/06/2025

🌧️ Seasonal changes can affect your mood — especially with less sunlight, colder days, and more time spent indoors. Feeling a bit low or slow is normal at this time of year. But if it's impacting your daily life, it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a type of depression triggered by the seasons.

Small steps can help:
✔️ Get outside in the morning light
✔️ Stay active — even gentle movement helps
✔️ Boost your vitamin D through food or supplements
✔️ Reach out for support

💬 If you or someone in your whānau is facing mental health challenges or looking to make positive behavioural changes, we encourage you to book an appointment with Ingrid, our Health Improvement Practitioner, or your GP. They can provide guidance, coping strategies, and the support you need to navigate this stage with confidence.

04/06/2025

Flu vaccines are still available — have you had yours?

🛡Getting vaccinated on time is the best way to stay protected during autumn and winter.

This year's funded vaccine (Influvac Tetra) is FREE for people who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Pregnant people
- People aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months to under 65 years with eligible conditions
- Children 4 years of age and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness
- People aged 6 months to under 65 years with serious mental health and addiction conditions.

If you don’t fit the eligibility for the funded vaccine, you can still get the flu vaccine with us for a small fee.

📲Book a flu vaccination here - https://greencross.centrik.co.nz/book-appointment/the-doctors-welcome-bay

02/06/2025

Struggling to breathe in the colder weather? 💨You’re not alone.

1 in 6 Kiwis live with a respiratory condition, and winter can make symptoms worse. Cold, damp air and more time indoors can trigger flare-ups — especially for asthma, COPD and bronchitis.

Breathe easier this winter:
✔️ Keep up with flu & Covid vaccines
✔️ Use your medications regularly
✔️ Keep your home warm, dry & ventilated
✔️ Stay active — even short walks help
✔️ Quit smoking, if you smoke
✔️ Chat to your GP or nurse about an action plan

If your breathing feels different or you’re worried, book an appointment with your GP or nurse.

30/05/2025

Our practice will be closed on Monday, 2nd June for Kings Birthday and on Friday, 20th June for Matariki.

For general health advice outside of our hours, call Healthline on 0800 611 116. If you require in-person care, please visit your nearest urgent-care facility. In an emergency, call 111.

29/05/2025

This month we’re celebrating the amazing mahi of our nurses. They do so much to keep our community healthy and supported. 🩺💙

It’s a good idea to book an appointment with a nurse if you need advice about:
- Diabetes management
- Osteoporosis
- Weight loss
- Asthma management
- Blood pressure management
- Wound care
- Eczema management
- Quitting smoking.

Our nurses can also help with:
- Routine childhood immunisations
- Other immunisations such as flu vaccine or shingles vaccine
- Organising home help or personal alarms
- Minor cuts and scrapes
- Cervical screening.

📞 Call us to book with a nurse or find out more.

29/05/2025

🚨Health New Zealand has issued a public health advisory: the risk of measles being brought into Aotearoa by travellers is currently very high.

Measles is highly contagious and can make both adults and children seriously unwell.

Immunisation is your best protection — and it's FREE in NZ through the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella).

☑️ Recommended for:
• Babies 6–11 months travelling to high-risk countries
• Tamariki 12 months–15 years (as part of the National Immunisation Schedule)
• Adults born 1989–2004 who haven't been vaccinated

Learn more about measles symptoms and check if you need the vaccine 👇

https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/measles-mumps-and-rubella-mmr-vaccine

Aotearoa New Zealand is at very high risk of a measles outbreak. There’s a risk of getting measles if you have not had 2 vaccinations, or have not already had measles. The measles (MMR) vaccine is free for all children in NZ, and all adults over the age of 19 who are eligible for free NZ healthcar...

07/05/2025

Please help us keep vulnerable patients and our staff safe by letting us know if you have any cold or flu like symptoms prior to your appointment. 😷

If you have symptoms like a cough, sore throat, fever, chills or runny nose, we may ask you to do a Covid test before you come in, or wait in a separate area when you arrive for your appointment.

05/05/2025

Are your family's immunisations up to date?

It’s easy to check! Use the personalised immunisation schedule on Health New Zealand’s website to see what vaccines your child needs from 6 weeks to 13 years.

🔹 Missed a vaccine? No worries! Most immunisations can be caught up.
🔹 Need advice? Talk to your GP or nurse for guidance.

Staying up to date helps protect your whānau and community! 💙

In Aotearoa New Zealand we have a National Immunisation Schedule. This sets out the free vaccines offered to pēpi, tamariki, teenagers and adults at certain times in their life.