November 2025 Newsletter
Kia Ora! November Newsletter
Your Health, Our Priority
November at Village Health – Sunshine, Shows and Self-Care
It finally feels like summer is on the way! November in Canterbury brings longer evenings, gardens in full bloom, and all the excitement of Show Week and Cup Day. It’s a time to pause, enjoy our beautiful region, and connect with friends and whānau — but also a good reminder to look after ourselves as the year races toward Christmas. Our team has been busy keeping appointments available each day for anyone who needs care, and we’re here to help with everything from spring allergies to wellness checks before the holiday season.
Same-Day Appointments – We’re Here When You Need Us
Your health is our priority, and we always keep appointments available for urgent issues.
Our goal is simple: to never turn anyone away.
Regular appointments with your own doctor are usually available within a few days, and we do everything we can to make sure you see the same person each time — because continuity of care saves lives. Every GP at Village Health keeps “on-the-day” appointments that aren’t shown online, so if your need is more urgent than what’s visible on the booking system, just give us a call.
When you ring, one of our friendly nurses will have a quick chat to understand what’s going on. This is called triage — it helps us decide how quickly you need to be seen and directs you to the right type of appointment:
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Acute Clinic – Daily doctor-and-nurse clinic for urgent health concerns.
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Infectious Clinic – For coughs, colds, and other contagious illnesses. Held in our specially designed negative-pressure room with direct car-park access to keep everyone safe.
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Rapid Clinic – For quick, urgent issues that simply can’t wait.
We’re here to provide the right care, at the right time, in the safest way possible.
Our aim is to NEVER TURN ANYONE AWAY
Refer a Friend – We’re Taking New Enrolments!
We’re welcoming new patients and have plenty of capacity to care for you and your whānau.
Wait times to see your regular GP are typically up to a week, and we also keep on-the-day appointments for urgent or infectious issues.
We reserve time with your own doctor for urgent needs, have several GPs dedicated to overflow, and our Rapid Clinic is available for things that just can’t wait.
If you know someone in Christchurch, Rolleston, or the Selwyn District looking for a new GP, please share this newsletter!
It’s easy to enrol — just visit www.villagehealth.co.nz and click “Enrol Now”. Once you’ve completed the form, we take care of the rest — no need to contact your previous practice.
Kickstart Your Wellness Journey with Village Health’s Weight Management Clinic
Are you ready to take control of your health and embark on a sustainable weight loss journey? Led by Dr Sri, a General Practitioner at Village Health with a special interest in Weight Management medicine and its causes, the Weight Management Clinic offers an evidence-based, personalised plan tailored just for you.
In your 60‑minute initial appointment, Dr Sri will explore your weight history, physical and mental health, and past treatments to recommend the most effective approach, with support from dietitians, exercise consultants, and health coaches.
Dr Sri Lamba – GP with a special interest in weight management.
Steroid injections
If you're living with ongoing joint, tendon, or nerve-related pain, a steroid injection or nerve block might provide the relief you've been looking for. At our Steroid Injection Clinic, Dr Miriam Martin offers skilled diagnosis and targeted treatments for a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological pain conditions.
Dr Martin is experienced in performing corticosteroid injections and nerve blocks for a wide range of conditions, including:
•Elbow pain – Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
•Hand & wrist pain – Trigger finger, Carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, Base of thumb arthritis (1st MCP joint)
•Hip pain – Greater trochanteric bursitis
•Foot pain – Plantar fasciitis, gout in the big toe joint (MTPJ)
•Shoulder pain – Sub-acromial bursitis, Gleno-humeral joint arthritis
Steroid injections are covered for ACC injuries, enrolled patients with a Community Services card may qualify for funding for certain conditions and casual patients are welcome too, just ask about costs.
Dr Miriam Martin – GP with a special interest in musculo-skeletal steroid injections
Our team works hard to keep you healthy — from the reception desk to behind-the-scenes care coordination. If you’ve had a great experience with Village Health, please consider writing a Google review to help others find us.
As a small thank-you, the coffee’s on us next time you’re in!
Thanks for Reading – Stay Well in November!
Thank you for trusting us with your care — it’s a privilege to look after you and your family.
We’re proud to be a GP-owned, community-focused practice committed to accessible, quality care.
Your health is our priority — always.
Best Wishes from The Village Health Team
Where to read more:
Our website: Village Health Medical Centre Christchurch
Facebook: Village Health Canterbury
Instagram: Village_Health_Canterbury