October 2025 Newsletter
Kia Ora! October Newsletter
Your Health, Our Priority
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.
Continuity of Care: See Your Own Doctor Every Time
At Village Health, we believe strongly in continuity of care — seeing the same GP each visit whenever possible. This trusted relationship improves diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health outcomes. International research supports this: a 2018 BMJ Open study found that patients who regularly see the same GP have 25% lower mortality and significantly fewer hospitalisations.
So next time you book, try to see your usual doctor — because better care starts with someone who knows you.
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.
Expert Help for Breastfeeding Families: Dr Beth’s Baby Clinic
Dr Beth Shore
Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience, but it sometimes comes with challenges.
At Village Health, our Lactation Medicine Clinic provides specialised medical support for mothers and babies experiencing feeding difficulties.
Led by Dr Beth Shore, a GP with postgraduate training in lactation medicine, this clinic helps with:
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Low milk supply
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Nipple pain or mastitis
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Tongue-tie concerns
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Unsettled or slow-gaining babies
Dr Shore works collaboratively with midwives, lactation consultants, and Plunket to ensure families receive holistic, practical support.
Whether you’re in the early days or facing new feeding challenges, we’re here to help.
Learn more or book under “Dr Beth’s Baby Clinic”
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 This Spring!
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
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