Pihanga Health

28/08/2025

🚨 Gastro Bug Going Around 🚨
There’s a vomiting and diarrhoea bug spreading locally — lasting around 3 days for most people. Please keep an eye on your tamariki and follow these tips 👇

💩 What is gastro?
It’s a bowel infection that causes runny poo, vomiting, fever, and tummy pain. It spreads fast, especially in homes, daycare, and schools.

👶 Watch little ones closely
Pēpi and young tamariki can get dehydrated quickly. Warning signs include:
Fewer wet nappies
Sunken eyes
Cold hands/feet
Sleepy or hard to wake

If your baby is under 6 months, see a doctor urgently if they have vomiting or diarrhoea.

💧 What to do at home
Give small sips of fluid often (even if vomiting)
Keep breastfeeding
You can dilute juice, lemonade or soup (1 part drink, 1 part water)

😷 Help stop the spread
Wash hands well
Clean shared spaces
Don’t share cups or food
Keep kids home until 48 hours after symptoms stop

📞 Call Healthline (0800 611 116) or see a doctor if you’re worried at any time.

Let’s look out for each other and keep our whānau safe ❤️

26/08/2025

Do you know what to do?

Salbutamol First Aid

1. Sit the person upright
– Be calm and reassuring
– Do not leave them alone
2. Give 6 puffs of reliever medication
–1 puff at a time to 6 breaths. Shake inhaler between each puff
3. Wait 6 minutes
4. Repeat steps 1-3
5. If there is no improvement after the third lot of reliever, dial 111 for an ambulance and keep giving 6 puffs every 6 minutes until help arrives


Symbicort First Aid

1. Sit the person upright.
– Be calm and reassuring
– Do not leave them alone
2. Give one actuation (puff) at a time,
3. If there is no improvement after 4 actuations (12yrs), dial 111 for an ambulance
4. Keep using your Symbicort inhaler as often as you need until help arrives
5. Even if you seem to get better, seek medical help right away

❌ Don’t drive yourself or your child to hospital — someone needs to stay with them and help them keep using the inhaler

Visit asthma.org.nz for full first aid steps and support.

25/08/2025

Have you heard about our Virtual GP Service?
Over the past few months, our on-site GPs have been supported by a video GP service — helping us maintain access to care when staffing is affected by illness or planned/unplanned leave.

Why are we offering this?
We know how important it is for you to see a GP when you need one. This service helps us keep appointment availability steady, even when our in-house team is stretched.

How does it work?

You book your appointment as usual through our admin team.

If a video consult is available, you’ll be offered that option.

On the day, you’ll come into the practice and be shown to a private room where you’ll speak with the GP via a secure video link.

Virtual GPs can provide the same level of care as our on-site doctors, and our nurses are available in the clinic to assist with things like blood pressure, observations, and more.

Patients who’ve tried it have been pleasantly surprised by how smooth and effective it is!

Ask our team if this option might suit you for your next visit.

24/08/2025

Good morning
As we begin a new week, we wanted to let you know that some of our team are currently unwell, which may impact our capacity today.

If you call our triage line, please be aware that being triaged does not guarantee you'll be seen the same day.

For immediate medical advice, we encourage you to contact Healthline on 0800 611 116.

If you request a call from one of our triage clinicians, please understand there may be a delay in getting back to you.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

14/08/2025

📞 We’re Hiring! | Casual Medical Receptionists Wanted 💼

We’re on the lookout for Casual/On-Call Medical Receptionists to join our friendly team here in the heart of the community 💚
If you’re organised, approachable, and love helping people, this could be the perfect fit! You’ll be the first point of contact for patients—answering calls, booking appointments, and supporting our awesome admin crew.

🕒 Casual/on-call to cover sick & annual leave
💬 Great with people? That’s what matters most!
🩺 Experience in medical admin is a bonus but not essential

Sound like you or someone you know? Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!
Please send your CV and a brief cover letter to: diana.barry@pihanga.co.nz

12/08/2025

📣 Update on Awhi House Drop-In Clinic

Due to some changes in our nursing team and a few staff members currently on extended leave, we’re unable to have a nurse available at the Awhi House drop-in clinic on Thursdays for now.

But don’t worry — our wonderful nursing team is still available at Pihanga Health! If you’d like to speak with a nurse or need support, please give us a call on 0800 744 2642.

We’ll keep you updated and let you know as soon as we’re able to get the Awhi House clinic up and running again. Thanks for your understanding and continued support 💚

— The Team at Pihanga Health

12/08/2025

Important Notice Wednesday 13th August.

Due to staff illness, we are currently short-staffed and unable to see patients who do not already have a booked appointment.

We will continue to run our triage queue; however, please note that being triaged does not guarantee you will be seen today.
If you need to speak with a clinician, we recommend calling Healthline on 0800 611 116 for immediate support.

If you contact us requesting to speak with one of our triage clinicians, please understand that they may not be able to return your call until later in the day.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.

11/08/2025

Important Notice for Today
Due to staff illness, we’re currently experiencing reduced availability. We're doing our best to keep all appointments as scheduled, but some may need to be conducted via phone or video instead of in person.

If you’re unwell and visiting the practice, we kindly ask that you wear a mask to help protect our team and reduce the spread of flu and other bugs. Masks are available at the front desk if needed.😷

Thank you for your understanding and support.

11/08/2025

🚶‍♀️ Walk & Talk with Jane and Marion – Reminder!

Just a little reminder about our Walk & Talk with Jane and Marion happening tomorrow! ❄️ The weather’s looking fine, though there might be a chilly frost in the morning — so bundle up!

They’ll be meeting just outside the Health Centre a little before midday. Come along for a friendly chat and some fresh air — we’d love to see you there! 💬🌿

04/08/2025

Join Us Today for Walk & Talk – or Just Walk

Need a reason to get outside? Come for a relaxed walk—have a chat if you feel like it, or simply enjoy the fresh air and friendly faces.
No pressure, no expectations—go at your own pace.
Jane (Health Improvement Practitioner) and Maz (Health Coach) will be there to support.
We’d love to see you there!

03/08/2025

A reminder about our Phone Triage Service

31/07/2025

Join us for a valuable kōrero on rural health with Associate Minister Hon Matt Doocey.
📍 Turangi
📅 Wednesday, 6th August
Be part of the conversation—register today!