Newtown Medical Centre

29/08/2025

Free Home Fire Safety Visits for Over 60s

Did you know Fire and Emergency New Zealand offers free home fire safety visits for people aged 60 and over?
During these visits, trained fire and emergency staff will:

Check your home for fire safety risks

Help install smoke alarms or replace faulty ones

Provide advice to keep you and your whānau safe

Supply smoke alarms if you cannot afford to purchase them

This is a fantastic opportunity to make sure your home is as safe as possible. Fires can happen quickly, and working smoke alarms are one of the most effective ways to protect lives.

If you or a loved one is over 60, ask us at Newtown Medical Centre about arranging a visit, or head to fireandemergency.nz to learn more.

Keeping our community safe starts at home — and this free service makes it simple.

https://newtownmc.squarespace.com/news/free-home-fire-safety-visits-for-over-60s

This is a fantastic opportunity to make sure your home is as safe as possible. Fires can happen quickly, and working smoke alarms are one of the most effective ways to protect lives.

10/06/2025

Closed Matariki

We will be closed this Friday 20th June for Matariki, opening as usual on Monday.

If you need medical assistance while we are closed, you can contact Pratice Plus for a virtual consultation, visit Wellington Accident & Urgent Medical Centre or if it is an emergency, Wellington Hospital Emergency Department.

Practice Plus

Through Practice Plus you can book a virtual consultation with one of their GPs.

We will be closed this Friday 20th June for Matariki, opening as usual on Monday.

29/04/2025

Strike Notice – Thursday 1 May

Senior doctors across NZ will be on strike for 24 hours this Thursday, 1 May (12:01am–11:59pm).

💡 What this means for you:
✅ EDs remain open – use only if absolutely necessary
✅ Inpatients will still receive care
✅ You’ll be contacted if your appointment or surgery is affected – otherwise, attend as usual
✅ Urgent care referrals will still be accepted

Life Preserving Services will be in place to ensure critical care continues.

Thanks for your patience and understanding. 💙

13/04/2025

🚨 Strike Notice – Awanui Labs 🚨

Awanui Labs staff are taking part in industrial action on 22, 23, and 24 April 2025. Expect reduced services and delays at collection centres.

📍 Check awanuilabs.co.nz for which centres are open.
🧪 Urgent testing only – some routine tests may be declined.
📆 If possible, plan your tests before or after these dates.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

13/04/2025

09/04/2025

Easter & ANZAC Holiday Hours

Newtown Medical Centre will be closed from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April for Easter, and again on Thursday 25 April for ANZAC Day.

📱 Need care while we’re closed? No worries – Practice Plus clinicians are available from 8am–8pm for online appointments.

✅ Book at: practiceplus.nz

Stay safe and enjoy the long weekends! 🌸

https://newtownmc.squarespace.com/news/easter-amp-anzac-day-hours

Newtown Medical Centre will be closed from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April for Easter, and again on Friday 25 April for ANZAC Day.

02/04/2025

Due to unforeseen health issues, Dr. Jill Sheppard has made the difficult decision to retire earlier than anticipated. We understand that this news may be unexpected, and we want to assure you of our commitment to providing you with high-quality ongoing care.

To ensure continuity of care, you will be reassigned to another clinician within our practice.

For those residing more than an hours travel away, it is recommended to seek a medical centre closer to your home.

Due to unforeseen health issues, Dr. Jill Sheppard has made the difficult decision to retire earlier than anticipated.

19/03/2025

Script Line Discontinuation

From Wednesday, 26 March 2025, our script line will no longer be available. Please order your prescriptions using one of the following options:

Online via Manage My Health (MMH)

Through our website using our online service in person at reception.

Thank you for your understanding.

From Wednesday, 26 March 2025, our script line will no longer be available. Thank you for your understanding.

19/03/2025

Flu Vaccination Clinics – Book Now

Booking your flu shot is quick and easy through Vensa. Simply log in and select a time that suits you. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact Newtown Medical Centre at 04 389 9955.

Stay protected this flu season—book your flu vaccine today!

As flu season approaches, it’s time to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu vaccination.

16/03/2025

🚨 Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Wellington – Stay Safe! 🚨

There’s currently an outbreak of cryptosporidium in the Wellington region, with most cases linked to swimming pools and splash pads. This nasty parasite can cause severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration—and it spreads easily in water.

💩 If you’ve had diarrhoea, do NOT swim for at least 2 weeks after symptoms have cleared!
🧼 Wash your hands with soap and warm water before eating or preparing food—especially if you or someone in your home has been unwell.
🚰 Avoid drinking untreated water from lakes, rivers, or pools.

If you or a family member has been to a public pool recently and are experiencing diarrhoea or stomach issues, call us on 04 389 9955 to book an appointment.

Let’s stop the spread and keep our community healthy! 💙

Wellington is currently experiencing an outbreak of cryptosporidium , a parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness , with most cases linked to swimming pools and splash pads .

06/02/2025

Laboratory Strike Update
⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE: Laboratory Strike – 5th & 7th February 2025 ⚠️

Awanui Labs staff will be taking strike action on Wednesday, 5th February, and Friday, 7th February 2025, which will result in reduced laboratory services on these days.

🔹 Wairarapa and Hutt Hospital laboratory services remain unaffected, except for microbiology services which may be impacted.
🔹 Some Awanui collection centres will be closed – check www.awanuilabs.co.nz for updates.
🔹 Expect delays at open collection centres.

What this means for you:
✅ If possible, please have your tests done before or after the strike to avoid delays.
✅ Microbiology samples without clinical details may not be tested.
✅ Routine tests may not be processed if demand exceeds capacity.

We understand this may be frustrating and appreciate your patience. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Over the next few months you will see local laboratory brands including Labtests, Northland Pathology, Taranaki Pathology, Hawkes Bay SCL, Wellington SCL, Medlab South, Canterbury SCL and Southern Community Laboratories, come together as one unified national brand – Awanui Labs.

06/02/2025

🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE 🚨

The Wellington Afterhours Clinic will be closed from 5 PM on Tuesday, 4th March, until 2 PM on Wednesday, 5th March due to essential computer system upgrades.

⚠️ If you need medical assistance during this time:
🔹 Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free medical advice 📞
🔹 Visit your nearest urgent care clinic 🏥
🔹 In an emergency, dial 111 or head to Wellington Hospital ED 🚑

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. The clinic will reopen at 2 PM on Wednesday, 5th March.

For any questions, feel free to reach out. Stay safe! 💙

We want to inform our patients that the Wellington Afterhours Clinic will be closed from 5 PM on Tuesday, 4th March, until 2 PM on Wednesday, 5th March due to essential computer system upgrades.