Porirua Union & Community Health Service - PUCHS

01/09/2026

FREE flu vaccines for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years. Call us on 04 2374207 to book your tamariki in.

📢 Funded flu vaccination eligibility expanded

Effective 1 September 2026, all children aged 6 months to under 5 years are now eligible for a funded influenza vaccination.

This change comes in response to high rates of influenza-related illness and hospitalisations among young children.

Contact your GP or healthcare provider to book your child's flu vaccination today.

30/08/2026

Our phone lines have been experiencing some issues this morning, with some patients unable to get through to us and our team also having difficulty making outgoing calls.

The issue has now been resolved, and our phone lines are working again. However, we are working through a backlog of calls and messages following the disruption.

Please be patient with our team as we work through these and get back to everyone as soon as possible.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

24/08/2026

Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM)

We are pleased to invite our patients and whānau to our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

This is an opportunity to hear about our organisation, our work in the community, and our plans for the year ahead.

Date: Monday 21st September, 2026
Time: Lunch at 1:00pm, Meeting at 1:30pm
Venue: PUCHS staff room

All patients are welcome to attend, We look forward to seeing you there.

17/08/2026

We are seeing an increasing number of Influenza A (flu) in our community.

If you have flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches or tiredness:
- Rest at home and stay away from others while you are unwell
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with fever, body aches and headache
- Lozenges or gargles may help ease a sore throat, cough or runny nose

If you need to come to the medical centre and have respiratory symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose or fever, we ask that you kindly wear a mask, and please let our reception team know when you arrive. This helps us protect you, other patients and our staff.

If your symptoms are getting worse, you are feeling very unwell, or you are unsure what to do, seek medical advice or call Healthline on 0800 611 116. If you are having difficulty breathing or have other severe symptoms, seek urgent medical help.

We ask that you please be patient with our team as we are experiencing higher than usual demand for phone calls and appointments.

For more information about flu, symptoms and looking after yourself at home, visit: https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/i/influenza

Keep well Porirua 💛

The flu (influenza) is a viral infection. Most people recover within a week or two, but it can cause serious illness. Vaccination is your best protection against flu.

03/03/2026

21/01/2026

📌 We will be holding a Special General Meeting, please see below details:
Date: Monday 23 February 2026
Time: 1 pm with lunch
Venue: PUCHS 221 Bedford Street, Cannons Creek
Agenda: Re-registration as a charity

29/12/2025

‼️We’re aware of a video circulating that looks like one of our GP’s advertising a product and asking for payment.

Please know: it is fake and not created by us!

Our doctors and staff would never ask for money for products, advertising, or care via social media ‼️

If you’re unsure about any communication claiming to be from us or any of our staff, contact the clinic directly through our official channels.

Thanks to everyone who flagged it and bought it to our attention, protecting our community matters 🌻

30/10/2025

29/10/2025

With confirmed measles in the Wellington Region, it’s important to know what to look out for and to check your immunisations are up to date.

What to look out for:
-high fever
-cough, runny nose, sore red eyes
-tiny white spots inside the mouth
-a blotchy red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body

If you are or your child develop these symptoms:
Call us on 04 237 4207 or Healthline on 0800 611 116
Please stay home, do not visit the clinic without calling and checking with a Nurse or Dr first.

For locations of interest you can check here:

https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles-locations-of-interest-in-aotearoa-new-zealand

Immunisation is your best protection!
-It is recommended to have two doses of the MMR vaccine for full protection
-If you are not sure if you are up to date you can call us or check your records on MMH
-People born between 1969 and the late 1990s may have only had one dose, it’s best to check if another is needed
-If you are not sure, or have no record then it is recommended and safe to have another dose.

For more info: https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/m/measles

30/09/2025

One of our GP's Dr. Sarah Leilua talking about some of the common reasons Pacific women avoid getting their cervical or breast screenings done — such as embarrassment, fear, or feeling unsure about the process.
She also shares practical tips on how women can overcome these barriers, including bringing a support person, asking for a female clinician, and finding out more information beforehand to feel confident and comfortable. Screening and early detection saves lives.