Kensington Health Whangārei

24/04/2026

23/04/2026

Meet Jade, our amazing contraception Nurse!

Jade has worked in family planning and contraception nursing for over 8 years. She is highly skilled and experienced. Jade is warm and empathetic and very supportive of everyone who comes through her clinic.

Jade is leading our Community Long Acting Reversible Contraception Clinic (LARC clinic).

Long Acting Reversible Contraception such as IUDs and implants provide highly effective contraception for 3-8 years (depending on type).

This Community LARC clinic is open to everyone in Northland, you dont need to be enroled with us. Many people will be eligible for this service funded/free (criteria apply). If you are interested, give us a call to book a phone consultation with Jade to disscuss your options.

20/04/2026

Introducing Ben, our newest team member!
Ben is a Prescribing Pharmacist. He is here to help with scripts and medication reviews.

Tēnā koutou kua huihui mai nei
Ko Ben Firestone tōku ingoa
Nō Ōtautahi ahau
Engari i whānau mai ahau i Ōtepoti
He Pou Rongoā Matū ahau i Kensington Health
Ka nui ngā mihi ki a tātou
Nā reira tēnā tātou katoa

I was born in Dunedin and raised in beautiful Christchurch. I completed my undergraduate training at the University of Otago, followed by my prescribing qualification through the University of Auckland.

My career has taken me across Aotearoa, and I feel privileged to now be part of the Whangārei community, working at Kensington Health and living closer to my whānau.

I am passionate about providing patient-centred, holistic care that supports hauora in all its aspects. I particularly enjoy working alongside people with long-term conditions, helping them get the most from their medications while also exploring lifestyle changes to support their overall wellbeing.

Working in general practice is incredibly rewarding, as it allows me to build meaningful relationships and support individuals and their whānau to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

Outside of work, I enjoy making the most of Northland’s beautiful environment—whether that’s time at the beach or exploring local bush walks.
I look forward to meeting you and your whānau and supporting you on your hauora journey.
Mauri ora!

18/04/2026

Stay Healthy This Flu Season!

Flu vaccine season is on now! Protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu this winter.

Who is eligible for a FREE flu vaccine in New Zealand?
- People aged 65 years and older
- Those with long-term health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
- Individuals with reduced immune function
- Pregnant people
- Children aged 4 years and under who have been hospitalized for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness
- People with specific mental health conditions or addiction issues

Book your flu vaccine appointment today and be ready for winter.

Call us on (09) 437 9070 to book in for your annual flu vaccine. Let’s keep our communities safe and healthy!

17/04/2026

Need a GP or looking for change?
Our books are open.
All new enrolments welcome.

At Kensington Health we follow the the 'Health Care Home' model which shifts the traditional system of general practice from one that is mostly reactive, to a more proactive, team-based approach that focuses on the individual needs of the patient and their whānau.

We do this through processes such as triaging patients to ensure urgent appointments are available to those who need them most; offering consultations by phone as well as in person, and working together as a multi-disciplinary team made up of Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, GPs, Extended Care Paramedic, Prescribing Pharmacist, HCA, Health Improvement Practioner and Health Coaches.

It's easy to enrol with us, head to our website to enrol online now or call us on 09 437 90 70

13/04/2026

Today we are celebrating one of our beautiful patients Gwen, on her 100th birthday!

Gwen has been with Kensington Health for 23years, originally under the care of Dr Dave Bawden, and now supported by Nurse Practitioner Laura Doorish, who is pictured below celebrating with Gwen at her birthday lunch.

Gwen shared these wise words with us on how to live a long and happy life...

-Eat your veg but stop before you hate yourself.

-Move your body… but no one’s asking you to run a marathon.

-Find a reason to get up even if it’s just a good coffee.

-Don’t stress… most of it doesn’t matter in 10 years.

-Have friends… they’ll keep you alive longer than kale.

Congratulations Gwen on this milestone and we wish you many more happy returns!

13/04/2026

Back by popular demand!

We are running anther Free Sleep Workshop on Thursday 23rd of April, 10am till 11.30am!

Bookings are essential as spaces are limited. Call reception to book your spot.

07/04/2026

Have you got a Community Services Card?
Having one can save you money!

It makes your appointments with us cheaper and your medication free at the pharmacy.

It's worth checking to see if you are eligible for a Community Services Card, these are issued by MSD.

Use the link below to for all the information and to apply.

Our Health Coaches are also available to help you figure out if you are eligible or to help you complete the forms. If you are needing this support please book a free appointment with them via reception. (Health Coachs are free for our enroled patients only).

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/community-services-card.html

07/04/2026

New Connected Care Session!

Memory, mood and the mature brain!

This Connected Care Session is run by our Extended Care Paramedic Kate and Health Coach Emily focuing on understanding memory Changes, Dementia and Mental Health.

Aimed at those 55+

Wednesday 22nd of April
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Cost: $67 or $20 with CSC/HUHC*
Morning Tea Provided.

Please book at reception, or call
(09) 437 9070 to book your spot.

This Connected Care Session is for our enrolled patients only.

01/04/2026

On Saturday some of our team attended the Whangārei PROUD Pride Parade and Gayla day!

We meet a load of amazing people, shared some important health information and had a load of fun!

Kensington Health are Proud Ally of our Rainbow community.

We belive in safe, equitable, and accessible health care for all.

Pictured is Layla (our owner and nurse practitioner Laura’s daughter) who joined us for the day as an honorary team member.

01/04/2026

Our amazing Clinical Director Jess has had a busy week presenting at the Collaborative Aotearoa conference in Christchurch.

Jess's presentation focused on how we need to work collaboratively as a team in primary health care and utilise the wide range of skills each member/role brings in order to best support our patients.

This is how we work at Kensington Health.

We have a large team made up of GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses (EN, RN and prescribing), HCA, Health Coaches, Health Improvement Practioner, Extended Care Paramedic and of course our administration team keeping it all together in the back ground.

Each team member has something to contribute towards your care, something we value and take pride in here at Kensington Health.