Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation

02/09/2026

Those early days with a new pēpi bring a lot to think about. Enrolling them with your local GP practice is one you can tick off quickly, and it connects your whānau with care from the start.

Doing it early means your local doctor and team are there from first check-ins to regular care as your pēpi grows.

When you register with the GP and a General Practice you can access many healthcare benefits as well as health programmes and services.

31/08/2026

When you or your whānau need medical care after hours or at short notice, but don’t need to be seen in person, a virtual appointment could be a good option.

That is where Practice Plus comes in. You can book a same-day phone or video consultation online or on 0800 7722 7587.

Appointments are available every day, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.

And if you have tamariki under 14, their Practice Plus appointments are free.

Access medical support in the Western Bay of Plenty with our after-hours doctor options, available when your GP practice is closed.

28/08/2026

Looking after your health is easier when you have a regular team to turn to.

Enrolling with a local GP practice connects you with a team that can help with check-ups, prescriptions, health advice and new or ongoing concerns.

Over time, they can get to know you, understand your health needs and support what matters to you.

Use our website to find a local GP practice welcoming new patients.

Find a general practice 592 Bethlehem Family Doctors (07) 579 [email protected] – Fri: 8am to 5pmVIEW PRACTICE 887 Bethlehem Medical Centre (07) 576 [email protected] – Fri: 8am – 5pmVIEW PRACTICE 731 Dee Street Medical Centre (07) 575 [email protected] – Fri: ...

01/08/2026

📣 We are so proud to share that our Clinical Director, Dr Claire Isham, has been presented with the Community Service Medal by the The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP)! She received the honour this Saturday, 1 August, at a ceremony in Auckland. 🏅 👏

The award recognises Dr Isham's outstanding contribution to the communities she serves and to equitable, whānau-centred care. From her leadership at WBOPPHO to her mahi at Ngāti Kahu Hauora, the outreach clinics on Matakana and Mōtītī islands and her influence on national forums.

From all of us at WBOPPHO — ka rawe, Claire! We're so grateful to have you leading the way, and so happy to see your dedication celebrated. 💙

As Claire so humbly put it: "This is a huge honour, but it doesn't belong to me alone… it's the work of a team."

📷️ Dr Claire Isham with RNZCGP President Dr Luke Bradford ahead of the ceremony.

Read the full story: https://wboppho.org.nz/wboppho-clinical-director-honoured-with-national-community-service-medal/

13/07/2026

We are proud to share that WBOP PHO’s BeingWell service has been named one of two finalists for Best Mental Health Programme in the 2026 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora.

BeingWell provides free mental health and wellbeing services through general practices, hauora providers and community settings across the Bay of Plenty.

This recognition reflects the collective mahi of our Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches,counselling coordination team, social workers, general practice teams and community partners.

The winners will be announced on 17 October.

Read the full story: https://wboppho.org.nz/beingwell-national-primary-health-awards-finalist/

Learn more about BeingWell and how you or your whānau can access support: wboppho.org.nz/beingwell

09/07/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki 🌌

Matariki is a time to pause and check in with ourselves, our whānau and our communities.

This Matariki, we encourage you to take a moment for your hauora. Rest when you need to, reach out when you need support, reconnect with the people who matter and look ahead with hope for the year to come.

Ngā mihi o te Matariki, from all of us at Western Bay of Plenty PHO

09/07/2026

Matariki is a time to gather, give thanks and look ahead. One thing we're grateful for this year is our move into The Kollective - TK.

This moment from our Matariki Hākari Matariki Long Lunch shows a bit why 🌟👇

30/06/2026

📰 The June 2026 edition of Te Rerenga is here!

WBOP PHO's quarterly newsletter is packed with stories of locally led primary care making a real difference across the Bay of Plenty.

What's inside:
🩺 Mental Health Minister Hon Matt Doocey visited BeingWell to see the impact of Health Improvement Practitioners and Health Coaches firsthand
🏡 Bridging the Gap launches, bringing free outreach care to whānau facing housing stress and to rangatahi
🎓 Future medical students will train right here in the Western Bay of Plenty from 2029, and our role in making it happen
🌈 A new gender-affirming primary care programme is on the way

Plus, a big congratulations to Edward Matehaere and Janice Kuka on their well-deserved national recognition! 👏

Read nowhttps://wboppho.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/M604826-WBOP-PHO-Te-Rerenga-6.26-FA-Online.pdf

09/06/2026

Last week, Mental Health Minister Hon Matt Doocey visited our region to see BeingWell in action, and what he saw left an impression.

💬 "This is probably one of the most impressive visits I've done as a Mental Health Minister in the last three years. What you've got here is a culture. A culture of being accountable, holding yourselves to a high standard and doing what's right."

BeingWell is the Bay of Plenty's free primary mental health and wellbeing service, available through your local GP. In 2025 alone, more than 8,800 people accessed support, with most seen within a week and many the same day.

That growth didn't happen by accident. As our CEO Sarah Stevenson shared, it came from listening to people who used the service, strengthening connections with GPs and community providers and investing in the workforce behind it.

To our HIPs, Health Coaches, general practice teams and community partners, thank you. You're the reason this is working. 💚

If you or your whānau haven't heard of BeingWell, it's free, it's local and it's available now. You can self-refer online at www.wboppho.org.nz/beingwell or ask at your general practice.

Read the full story about the Minister's visit: https://wboppho.org.nz/minister-visits-beingwell/

18/05/2026

Over the past week, as we marked International Nurses Day (12 May) and World Family Doctor Day (19 May), WBOP PHO has taken a moment to recognise the people behind so much of the care that happens in our communities.

We now invite you to do the same. Share this message, leave a comment, acknowledge a nurse or doctor who has made a difference in your life or community.



Read the full message on our website: https://bit.ly/4wlST8m