September 2025 Newsletter
Kia Ora!
Spring has finally arrived – the days are growing longer, the mornings a little brighter, and those first signs of new life are beginning to show in the gardens and trees around us. There’s a sense of energy and renewal in the air as the buds start to open and we leave the chill of winter behind. Just as nature resets and grows, it’s a great time to focus on fresh starts, healthy habits, and taking a little extra care of ourselves and our whānau.
In this month’s newsletter, we’ll share updates from the practice, and introduce our new services to keep you well as we move into this busy season.
New Patients – We’re Taking Enrolments!
We’re excited to welcome new patients and have plenty of capacity to care for you and your whānau. Our team includes 11 female doctors, 8 of whom are FRNZCGP -Specialist General Practitioners, so your care is supported by a wealth of experience and expertise.
Many of our doctors are currently accepting new patients. While wait times to see your own GP for non-urgent issues are typically just over a week, we also offer on-the-day appointments for acute, urgent, or infectious concerns.
If you know someone in Christchurch, Rolleston, or the Selwyn District looking for a GP, please share this newsletter—we’d love to help. Enrolling is simple -go to the top of the page, click “Enrol Now”, fill in the form, and we’ll take care of the rest—no need to contact your previous practice.
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 aim is to NEVER TURN ANYONE AWAY
Regular appointments are available with your own doctor – there may be a couple of days wait but we try our best to get you into the same person every time. Continuity with your own doctor is PROVEN to save your life!
If you need a more urgent appointment we have on-the-day appointments available, One of our friendly nurses will talk with you first to understand what’s going on. This process is called triage—it simply means we find out how quickly you need to be seen and direct you to the right type of appointment:
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Acute Clinic – Run daily by an assigned doctor and nurse for urgent health concerns.
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Infectious Clinic – For coughs, colds, and other potentially contagious illnesses. Held in a specially designed, negatively pressured room with direct carpark access to keep everyone safe.
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Rapid Clinic – For urgent, quick issues that simply can’t wait.
We’re here to provide the right care, at the right time, in the safest way possible.
SkinScope – Specialist Skin Checks
SkinScope is a new service at Village Health Spreydon, providing expert skin cancer detection and monitoring. Led by Dr Nicole Anderson and Dr Eve Fitzgerald, both highly trained GPs with advanced expertise in skin cancer medicine, SkinScope offers full-body dermoscopy, mole and skin lesion monitoring, and treatment options. Using the latest technology, the team can detect subtle changes early — and from November, our new OptimaScan service will be available for comprehensive full-body imaging. Protect your skin and your peace of mind — phone reception today to book your skin check on (03) 389 8999.
- Our SkinScope doctors:
Dr Eve Fitzgerald and Dr Nicole Anderson
Wellness Checks
A Wellness Check is a routine health review carried out by one of our health professionals. The content will vary depending on your age, gender, and medical history, but may include:
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Blood pressure measurement
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Diet and lifestyle review
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Women’s health care (HPV testing, cervical smear)
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Blood tests as appropriate
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Cardiovascular risk assessment
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Prenatal blood checks and counselling if you are planning a pregnancy
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And more
All new patients are offered a Wellness Check with our nurses or dietitian when enrolling to establish a clear baseline and ensure all preventive care is up to date.
Thanks for Reading – Stay Well This Spring!
As we step into this new season, we hope you’ll join us in embracing the fresh energy that spring brings. Whether it’s booking in for a check-up, revisiting your health goals, or simply enjoying longer evenings with family, now is the perfect time to reset and look ahead with optimism. We look forward to supporting you and your whānau over the months to come.
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