Health Te Aroha

11/05/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our nurses and all nurses. We salute you today! You are amazing!

15/02/2026

Sadly on Friday we said farewell to Justine Gadd. Justine has been working with us since the end of 2023 as a Physician Associate at Health Te Aroha and Health Ngatea. Over this time Justine has become a true friend rather than just a collegue. She plans to return to her home town in Vermont, USA to be close to family.
We wish her safe travels and all the best for the next chapter.

21/01/2026

Dr Hayley Scott talks about Integrative Medicine and her new venture Hayley Scott Aroha Health.
See link below -

https://hayleyscottarohahealth.co.nz/

16/01/2026

Did you know we provide FREE Long Acting Reversible Contraception services (LARCs)?

Long-acting reversible contraception is the most reliable form of contraception available.
There are different forms of LARC. It can be an implant in your arm or a device that is inserted into your womb.
LARCs are called ‘fit and forget’ contraception because you don’t need to remember to take them every day.
Follow the link below for more information or enquire with reception to make an appointment to discuss options with a clinician.

Key points about long-acting reversible contraception Long-acting reversible contraception is the most reliable form of contraception available

11/12/2025

We are very happy to be able to make this service accessible for women in the community.

Do you have a pessary and are currently travelling to Waikato Hospital to have this managed?
We are pleased to announce we are offering a new pessary service!
We have a clinician who can assess prolapse, measure and order pessaries; fit and change them.
You do not need to be enrolled at our practice to access this service, it is open to everyone who needs it.
The initial assessment incurs a standard consult fee; but then there is funding available for the device, fitting and change/checks meaning pessary management is FREE.
Read more here: https://www.health-tearoha.co.nz/Services

11/12/2025

Prescription Update – What You Need to Know.
From February 2026 the NZ government will allows clinicians to write prescriptions for up to 12 months – but not everyone will qualify.
Who Needs More Frequent Reviews?
Some patients will still need to see their prescriber every 3 or 6 months before getting a prescription. This includes people who:
- Have new or changing medications
- Need regular monitoring (like blood tests)
- Have multiple health conditions
- Are on medications with higher risks or side effects
Examples: Diabetics needing blood sugar checks; patients on antidepressants with recent changes to medications; patients with heart conditions taking multiple medications.
What About Controlled Drugs?
Medications like strong painkillers or sleeping pills are not included in 12 monthly prescribing. These still require regular reviews, usually every 1-3 months.

24/11/2025

Prescription Update – What You Need to Know.

From February 2026 the NZ Government will allow clinicians to write prescriptions for up to 12 months – but not everyone will qualify.

You may be eligible if
- Your condition is stable
- You’ve been on the same medication for a while
- You don’t need frequent check-ups or blood tests
- You understand your treatment and take your medication regularly

Examples: Blood pressure medication that’s working well. Asthma inhalers with no recent changes. Oral contraceptives with no side effects.

Keep an eye out for our next post, there is more info to follow.

17/11/2025

Prescription Update – What You Need to Know.

From February 2026 the NZ government will allow clinician's to write prescriptions for up to 12 months – but not everyone will qualify.
You may be eligible if your condition is stable and your medication hasn’t changed. Some patients still need 3-6 monthly reviews to stay safe. Controlled drugs (like strong pain killers or sleeping pills) are not included.
Even if the law allows it, the prescriber’s job isn’t just to write prescriptions. They still need to check in with you regularly and ensure that your treatment is right for you, that you’re not having side effects, and nothing in your health has changed. It’s about clinical responsibility - what’s safe and right for you, not just legal rules.
Regular reviews help to catch any changes in your condition early, adjust medications if needed and make sure your treatment is still the best option for you.
So even if you feel fine, your clinician may still need to see you before giving you a longer prescription. It’s not about red tape – it’s about keeping you safe and well.

Keep an eye out for our next post there is more info to follow.

13/10/2025

Do you have a pessary and are currently travelling to Waikato Hospital to have this managed?
We are pleased to announce we are offering a new pessary service!
We have a clinician who can assess prolapse, measure and order pessaries; fit and change them.
You do not need to be enrolled at our practice to access this service, it is open to everyone who needs it.
The initial assessment incurs a standard consult fee; but then there is funding available for the device, fitting and change/checks meaning pessary management is FREE.
Read more here: https://www.health-tearoha.co.nz/Services