Eastern Bays Health Centre

30/10/2025

Vaccination remains the only effective and safe protection method from contracting measles.

If you are wanting to see if you or your child is immunised against measles, you can view your vaccine history on ManageMyHealth or email us at admin@ebhc.co.nz please make sure to include your full name and date of birth in the request.

To see if your child is vaccinated, in the first instance please refer to their WellChild book for their immunisation history.

Can't tell if it's measles or chicken pox? See the below from Health NZ – Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

A reminder to please phone for appointments with any of the symptoms listed in each picture, please do not book online.
Thank you for keeping our staff and vulnerable patients safe

27/10/2025

There are currently a number of measles cases in the Wellington Region.

⛔If you have any respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore or red eyes, or have a measles rash, be sure to let our team know, and don't come into the medical centre until requested. ⛔
We are still able to help; we just need to take precautions to protect our community.

If you are not currently vaccinated for measles, now is the time to do so. Call us on 387 9758 to book an appointment with our nursing team or select option 3 and speak with one of the nurses for more information.

25/10/2025

We will be closed on Monday 27 October for Labour weekend.‍
‍
If you need urgent medical care while we are closed, please go to either:

🏥 Wellington Accident & Urgent Medical Centre - 17 Adelaide Road, Newtown

🏥 Wellington Hospital Emergency Department - Riddiford Street, Newtown

‍Both are walk-in services so there may be a wait to be seen.

If it is an emergency, please dial 111 for ambulance assistance.

‍We reopen to normal hours on Tuesday 28 October. Have an enjoyable and safe long weekend.

09/10/2025

How will you keep learning today and beyond?

Keep Learning refers to ‘exercising our mind’ – almost like taking our brain to the gym. Learning something new together with friends or whānau can boost motivation, enhance understanding and offer a sense of shared growth and discovery.

Here are some of the ways you can keep learning today:

📖 Join a class or group – learn an instrument, join a book club or put on your dancing shoes and learn some new moves.
👩🏿‍💼 Organise a lunch and learn session with your hoamahi. Arrange for a speaker to come in, or ask a colleague to present on a topic that they are interested in.
🍱 Why not team up with your whānau and take on a new challenge? Experiment in the kitchen with a new recipe, give that forgotten furniture a glow-up, or explore the beauty of learning a new language.
🏡 Learn something new about your hometown or local area – talk to your whānau and neighbours, check out local history societies, pukapuka/books or do an online rangahau/search.
🧩 Do some puzzles! Crosswords, sudoku, riddles are all great ways to exercise the mind.
🧠 Evidence suggests that learning or trying new things creates a sense of achievement, competence and stimulates engagement with the world around us.

08/10/2025

What will you take notice of today?

Take Notice refers to the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness can be thought of as open and receptive attention to, and awareness of, what is occurring in the present moment. There is robust scientific evidence supporting mindfulness practice as beneficial to our hauora (mental, physical, spiritual, social/relationships). Practicing mindfulness with others can deepen connection and enhance our collective sense of wellbeing.

Here are some of the ways you can take notice today:

🌷 Savour and share the small things or moments in your day that brought you joy.
🍀 If you have work meetings today, begin with a karakia/prayer or short reflection (eg. an inspiring quote) followed by a brief silent period, allowing your hoamahi to breathe mindfully and bring their full attention into the room.
🧘‍♂️ Head along to a yoga class or find one on YouTube.
✍ Practice some gratitude. Activities such as writing gratitude letters, journaling or reflecting on things to be thankful for, are linked to improved emotional wellbeing, life satisfaction, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
👭 Go for walk with a friend and take notice of your surroundings – the sounds, sights, smells and textures. You could do the five senses awareness exercise together – share something you see, feel, hear, taste and smell (e.g. the feeling of sunshine on your face, the smell of a spring flower).

Top up your wellbeing by being present - use today as a reminder to pay more attention to the present moment, to your thoughts and feelings, and to others around you.

07/10/2025

What steps will you take toward being active today? 🤔

Being active is not only important for our physical wellbeing, it’s also a powerful mood booster. Moving our tinana/body can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promote relaxation and enhance overall mental resilience. Being active with whānau and friends can boost motivation, strengthen social bonds, and make physical activity more enjoyable.

Here are some of the ways you can be active today:

🎶 Get your energy flowing and have fun with whānau or friends. Teach your mum or aunty a new TikTok dance. Not only will it get your heart rate up, but it's also a chance to connect with each other.
⛹ Grab your mates and organise a friendly sports match at a local park. Not only will you get a good workout, you’ll also be able to have fun and connect with your friends too.
💃🏻 Have an impromptu kanikani/dance party with your whānau, flatmates or pets. Play your favourite tunes, sing as loud as you can, and get your body moving.
🏅 Being active doesn’t have to mean working out. Vacuuming the house, gardening, or playing tag with your kids can all count.
🤸‍♀️ Instead of having hui in the tari/office, get some fresh air and go for a walking meeting outside.

Being active can make us feel good, and it helps us feel connected with our communities. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones, which can uplift your mood and increase feelings of happiness.

06/10/2025

How will you give to others today?

Give is about kindness, altruism, or generosity. Carrying out acts of kindness boosts our happiness, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. When we help others, it gives us purpose and a sense of belonging. Sharing acts of kindness and your time with others can strengthen relationships and create a ripple effect of positivity.

Here are some of the ways you can give today:

🙂 Give a smile to a stranger today. Why not top up their wellbeing, and yours?
👕 Volunteer in your community, or donate items you are no longer using to a charity shop.
🧁Bake something yummy to share with your hoamahi/colleagues at morning tea time.
🙋‍♀️ Help a friend out by mowing their lawn, preparing a meal for them, or offering to mind their tamariki for the afternoon.
🚗 Stop to let a car into the traffic in front of you. Watch the chain reaction of courtesy!

What better time than Mental Health Awareness Week to Top Up Together by doing something nice for your friends, whānau or colleagues? 🫶

05/10/2025

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. Each day this week, we will share the theme of the day and ways you can make that work for you.

Also, don't forget you are never alone. If you need guidance, you can book in for a free appointment with Apoorva, our Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP). Apoorva can help with issues such as addiction, lifestyle, grief; and if she can't help you she can point you in the direction of someone who can 🫶 You do not need your GP to refer you, you can book with her by calling reception on 04 387 9758.

Today's word is 'Connect' - how will you connect with others today?

Connect refers to making social connections, or whakawhanaungatanga. A sense of feeling connected, loved or belonging with others is strongly associated with better wellbeing and other health outcomes through providing a sense of meaning, safety, support and purpose. Nurturing relationships with friends, whānau and work colleagues helps to enhance the benefits of connection and promote a deeper sense of unity and collective wellbeing.

Here are some of the ways you can connect with others today:

👯‍♀️ Gather your friends for a cozy night of games, good vibes, and shared laughter.
🏈 Fire up the barbeque, invite your friends and whānau around, and catch up while watching the game.
👋 Is there someone that you haven’t spoken to in a while? Why not send a message, have a kōrero, or arrange a catch up in person.
😀At the end of the day, ask a friend, your whānau or hoamahi (colleague) what the best thing about their day was and listen with interest when they respond.
🍕 Organise a potluck dinner, barbeque or shared lunch with your whānau, friends or hoamahi. Bring your favourite dish and connect over some delicious kai.

Social connection is the ngākau/heart of our wellbeing. It weaves us together, making us feel seen, heard, and understood. When we nurture meaningful connections with others, we uplift our own wellbeing.

02/10/2025

Need to speak with a GP but can't make it during usual business hours? We have you covered! We are fortunate to have Dr Fabian Loontjens available for evening phone consultations while he is away visiting his native Belgium 🇧🇪

These appointments can be booked by calling us on 04 387 9758. Please ensure you provide the phone number you need him to dial at the time of booking, so you don't miss his call

Appointments are available between 5-9pm on the below dates:
Tuesday 7 October
Tuesday 14 October
Tuesday 21 October

For any respiratory conditions that may require physical examination, please continue to book these at the practice.

We hope Fabian has a wonderful trip ✈️

02/10/2025

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, check out this free six-week course being run in Johnsonville

Free Diabetes Education Programme, right here in Johnsonville!

Siva Patea is a Diabetes Community Coordinator who works with Diabetes New Zealand, Siva also has Type 1 Diabetes and whanau with Type 2.

Along with a Diabetes Nurse and Community Dietitian, Siva is running a free six-week course which aims to help patients manage diabetes-related changes, meet other people on the same journey and set clear and achievable goals. While the content is largely focussed on Type 2 Diabetes Management, it is still beneficial for those in the prediabetes range or other types of diabetes.

Whanau and support are also more than welcome to attend.

The sessions run 1-3pm, each Thursday for six weeks at the Johnsonville Community Centre. The first session is on Thursday 13 November.

To register, or for more information, please contact sivap@diabetes.org.nz

30/09/2025

Vasectomy is a safe and effective method of permanent contraception for men. A vasectomy is simple, quick and virtually painless.

If you have decided a vasectomy is the best option for yourself, for your partner or for your family you can visit our partner practice Johnsonville Medical Centre (JMC) for the procedure. JMC offer vasectomy appointments for both patients and non-patients.

The vasectomy is performed by Dr Owen Miller; Owen has performed many vasectomies over his career. You will first meet with Owen for a pre-consult to discuss the process, then come back for the procedure itself. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

If this is something you are interested in, please book directly with JMC by calling them on 04 920 8850. Please tell them upon booking if you are a patient at Eastern Bays Health Centre.

For full information, including pricing, please visit the JMC website https://www.johnsonvillemedical.co.nz/services/vasectomy

22/09/2025

Do you have a cervix? If you answered yes, are you up to date with your cervical screening? 🤔 September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month. Most cervical cancers are preventable with regular cervical screening. Nearly 85% of people diagnosed with cervical cancer had either never been screened or were infrequently screened 🤯

Cervical screening has gotten easier with the HPV self-swab test! You are in charge, your nurse/GP will either leave the room, or you can visit the bathroom to do the test yourself. A little swish around and you are good to go! Of course, if you prefer not to do the test yourself your nurse or GP can do it for you not a problem. There are cases where the previous smear test style will need to be used, your nurse or GP will advise you if that is required.

If the results look good, that's it for another FIVE years. Testing is free if you are:
👋 aged 30 years and over and have never been screened; or
🫶 Māori and Pacific wāhine aged 25 to 69 years; or
👍 aged 25 to 69 and hold a Community Services Card

For the full criteria, please visit https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/cancer-screening/cervical-screening/cervical-screening-options

Call us on 04 387 9758 to book ☎

HPV screening is the method for cervical screening in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPV testing is a better first screening test. It looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer. There are 2 types of screening options.