Living Waters Medical Whanganui

12/10/2026

🌿 Meet Shannon Baker, our Health Coach!

Nau mai, haere mai! We are pleased to welcome Shannon, a Health Coach with National Hauora Coalition (NHC), who works alongside the Living Waters Medical team.

Shannon supports patients aged 18 and over who are living with long-term physical or mental health conditions, or who would like to make positive lifestyle changes.

💚 Shannon can support you with:

• Understanding your health and building confidence
• Managing long-term health conditions
• Healthy eating and physical activity
• Stopping smoking
• Managing stress and improving wellbeing
• Setting achievable health and lifestyle goals
• Connecting with health and community services

Shannon offers practical support and encouragement alongside your healthcare team. She does not provide clinical diagnosis or treatment.

🤝 Need support with everyday challenges?

Awhi Ora community and peer support can help with housing, WINZ and financial assistance, budgeting, CVs and employment, food support, and connections with community services and whānau support.

This support is generally available for up to three months, helping you connect with the right services and feel more confident moving forward.

📞 If you would like support with your health and wellbeing, talk to our clinic team about connecting with Shannon.

18/09/2026

🩺 Not sure whether to see your GP, go to after-hours, or head to ED?

Our latest article explains the role of each service, when after-hours or urgent care may be the best option, and when a medical emergency needs hospital-level care.

Knowing where to go can help you get the right care in the right place, while also helping emergency services remain available for those who need them most.

Read more below 👇

https://livingwatersmedical.co.nz/home-1/f/when-should-i-see-my-gp-go-to-after-hours-or-go-to-ed

09/09/2026

💙 General practice is changing, both here in Whanganui and across New Zealand.

In this article, Jude MacDonald, Chief Executive of Whanganui Regional Health Network, explains some of the pressures facing general practice and why team-based care will play an increasingly important role in its future.

This is an approach Living Waters Medical has embraced for some time. Depending on the care needed, our patients may see a GP, nurse prescriber, practice nurse or another member of the healthcare team.

While this may feel different from the traditional model of always seeing the same doctor, it allows each clinician to contribute their particular skills and helps patients access appropriate care.

It is encouraging to see wider recognition of a model that is already an established part of how we care for our patients.

We encourage our patients and wider community to have a read.

Read the full article below 👇💙

The changing face of general practice
By Jude MacDonald, Chief Executive, Whanganui Regional Health Network

For many of us, the idea of healthcare has always been closely linked to having "our doctor" – someone who knows our family, understands our history, and is there when we need them. It is a model that has served our communities well for generations. However, the reality is that general practice is changing, and we need to adapt to ensure quality healthcare remains available for everyone.

Across New Zealand, and particularly in provincial and rural communities, recruiting and retaining GPs has become increasingly difficult. Many experienced doctors are approaching retirement, while fewer clinicians are choosing to own and operate traditional medical practices. At the same time, demand for healthcare services continues to grow.

These challenges are driving a shift towards a more team-based approach to care. Today, a patient's healthcare journey may involve not only a doctor, but also nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, health coaches, Health Improvement Practitioners, whānau support workers and telehealth services. Each member of this team brings valuable expertise and helps ensure patients can access the right care at the right time.

I understand that this change can feel unfamiliar. Many people still value the continuity of seeing the same doctor, and where possible that remains important. However, the future of primary care is likely to be less about seeing "your doctor" every time and more about accessing a coordinated team focused on your wellbeing.

The healthcare landscape is evolving, but our commitment remains unchanged: to ensure the people of Whanganui and our rural communities continue to receive timely, high-quality care close to home.

Photo: Judith MacDonald

04/09/2026

💊 Repeat prescriptions: what you need to know

Repeat prescriptions can make it easier to continue medicines you use regularly, but sometimes your clinician may need to review things first.

Our latest article explains why you may be asked to book an appointment, complete blood tests or have other monitoring before another prescription can be issued.

It also covers why it is a good idea to request your repeat before you run out of medication.

Read more below 👇

https://livingwatersmedical.co.nz/home-1/f/repeat-prescriptions-what-you-need-to-know

02/09/2026

💙 Free flu vaccinations for tamariki 💙

Great news for whānau! Flu vaccinations are now free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

There is still a lot of flu circulating in our communities, so it is not too late to help protect your tamariki.

Contact our reception team to book your child’s free flu vaccination. We want to make sure every eligible child has the opportunity to be protected.

Please share this with whānau who may have eligible tamariki.

26/08/2026

⏱️ Making the most of your 15-minute appointment

A standard appointment at Living Waters Medical is 15 minutes and is designed to allow time to safely assess and manage one main health concern.

Our latest article explains how to prepare for your appointment, when it may be better to book more time, and why a further consultation may sometimes be needed.

A little preparation can help you and your clinician make the best use of your appointment time.

Read more below 👇

https://livingwatersmedical.co.nz/home-1/f/making-the-most-of-your-15-minute-appointment

20/08/2026

🧪 Had a blood test, X-ray, ultrasound or scan and wondering what happens next?

Our latest article explains what happens once your results come back, why some tests take longer than others, when you may be asked to book a follow-up appointment, and what to do if your symptoms are getting worse.

A test result is often only one part of the clinical picture, so sometimes a follow-up discussion is the safest and most appropriate next step.

Read more below 👇

https://livingwatersmedical.co.nz/home-1/f/what-happens-after-you-have-a-blood-test-or-scan

💙 Living Waters Medical

09/08/2026

At Living Waters Medical, providing timely and appropriate care involves more than one type of healthcare professional.

Our GPs, Nurse Prescribers, Practice Nurses and wider clinical team work together, each contributing different skills within their professional scope.

Our latest article explains how our team-based model of care works, how patients are matched with the appropriate clinician, and what this means for your care.

Read more below 👇

https://livingwatersmedical.co.nz/home-1/f/what-our-team-based-model-of-care-means-for-patients

💙 Living Waters Medical

04/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Dr Nadhila!

We are immensely proud to celebrate Dr Nadhila Mazlan on becoming a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP).

Achieving Fellowship is a significant and well-earned milestone, reflecting Dr Nadhila’s clinical expertise, professional leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence in general practice. It also recognises the meaningful contribution she continues to make to her patients, colleagues and the wider community.

Dr Nadhila is a highly valued member of the Living Waters Medical team, and we are privileged to work alongside a clinician of her calibre, compassion and dedication.

Please join us in congratulating Dr Nadhila on this outstanding achievement.

Ka mau te wehi, Dr Nadhila — he tino whakatutukitanga tēnei!
What an outstanding achievement! 💙

30/07/2026

📍 Whanganui Skin Centre is moving to Castlecliff

From Monday 3 August 2026, all Whanganui Skin Centre appointments and services will take place at our Living Waters Medical clinic at 5 Rakau Road, Castlecliff.

Patients will continue to receive care from the same familiar team, with existing appointment dates, times and booking processes remaining unchanged. The only change is the location.

Read the full update here: https://livingwatersmedical.co.nz/home-1/f/whanganui-skin-centre-is-moving-to-castlecliff