Pihanga Health

25/08/2026

A great option for families to know about 👇

If your child needs to see a GP, Health NZ’s Online GP service is another great option for accessing GP care, giving families more choice about how and when they get the care they need.

It’s FREE for children aged 13 and under, and many common health concerns can be assessed online, with prescriptions arranged if needed.

It’s a really useful alternative when accessing care from home is more convenient.

Have a read of the post below to find out more. 👇
https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/online-phone-healthcare/online-gp-care

"It wasn't an emergency, but she needed care that night."

When Kloe's four-year-old daughter Ruby developed a recurring skin infection one evening, she found herself in a situation many parents know well. Ruby needed medical advice and treatment quickly, but not a trip to urgent care.

At 7pm, Kloe logged on to Health New Zealand's Online GP service. Within minutes, she was speaking with a nurse, sharing photos of Ruby's condition. Soon after, a doctor joined the call, assessed the issue, and arranged a prescription to be collected from their local pharmacy the next morning.

"This was the fourth very positive experience our family has had with the service," says Kloe. "I know this is free for us, but it's a service I would happily pay for time and time again."

The Online GP service gives people another way to access timely healthcare when they can't get in to see their usual GP, especially after hours, on weekends, or if they live in a rural area.

✅ Free for children 13 years old and under
✅ Subsidised for young people aged 14-17 and people with community services cards
✅ Available from anywhere in New Zealand
✅ Treatment for many common conditions without needing to leave home

Since launching in May 2025, more than 77,800 people have used the service, with over 103,600 consultations completed. Most patients receive the care they need online without needing to be referred elsewhere.

Learn more about Online GP and whether it's right for you: www.healthnz.govt.nz/onlinegp

20/08/2026

17/08/2026

💚 Flu season is here — and we’re feeling the pressure too. Influenza A is doing the rounds, and we’re seeing more people becoming unwell. With demand high across the health system, we want to make sure you know what to do if you or someone in your whānau gets sick.

🤧 Feeling unwell?
Please stay home if you can, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take care not to spread it to others.

📞 Need medical advice? Please phone.
We’ll do our best to get you the care you need. We are currently under significant pressure, so we may not always be able to answer your call straight away. If you can’t get through to us, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

😷 Please don’t be offended if we ask you to wear a mask when coming in. We’re simply doing our best to help stop the spread and protect our staff and patients. Thank you for understanding and supporting us. ❤️

🌙 Need help between 5pm-8.30am?
Our after-hours service is Ka Ora. Call 0800 PIHANGA (0800 744 264) after 5pm to be connected with a doctor or nurse for advice and care.

🚨 Please seek urgent help immediately if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, has chest pain, blue/grey lips, is unusually drowsy or confused, or is seriously unwell. If you’re worried something is very wrong, trust your instincts and call 111.

And a special reminder to our kaumātua, pregnant wāhine, pēpi and tamariki, and those living with ongoing health conditions — please get in touch sooner if you’re becoming unwell.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while our team works through a very busy time. 💚

Take care of yourselves and your whānau.

17/08/2026

Winter is a good time for a few simple reminders about looking after ourselves and others when colds and flu are doing the rounds. 🧣
If you’re feeling unwell, rest up, stay home where possible, keep hydrated and take steps to avoid spreading illness to others. Good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, can all help protect our whānau and community.

For helpful information about influenza, symptoms, self-care and when to seek medical advice, have a look at this Healthify resource 👉 https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/i/influenza

10/08/2026

🌿 Meet our Extended Care Team – Marion Wellington, Health Coach

Over the next little while, we’d like to introduce you to some of the people who make up our Extended Care Team, and share a little more about the different support they can offer.

First up is Marion Wellington, one of our Pinnacle Health Coaches. 💚

A Health Coach works alongside you to help you take positive steps towards better health and wellbeing. That might mean helping you work out what matters most to you, connecting you with the right services and support, helping you navigate the health system, or simply having someone in your corner as you work towards your goals.

Health coaching is about working with you — building on your strengths, supporting your choices and helping make those next steps feel a little more achievable.

👋 Say hi to Marion next time you see her around Pihanga Health or out in our community!

06/08/2026

🌿 Looking for a change of pace?

Are you a GP or Nurse Practitioner looking for a little extra work? Maybe you're local, or perhaps you're a locum looking to pick up a day or two each week—or even a month.

At Pihanga Health, we're flexible and happy to work with you to find an arrangement that suits your lifestyle. Whether it's around school hours, existing commitments, or your current role, we'd love to have a chat.

📩 Send us a message or get in touch for a confidential conversation. We might be just what you're looking for. 💚

31/07/2026

🍃 Lots of coughs and colds are doing the rounds at the moment! 🤧
If you're feeling unwell this weekend, don't wait until Monday if you need advice or support.
💚 Healthify has some excellent information on managing coughs and colds at home, including when it's time to seek medical help.
👶 Cough in children:
https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/c/cough-in-children
🧑 Cough in adults:
https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/c/cough-in-adults

Take care, rest up, and we hope everyone is feeling better soon. 💚