Flu can be a serious illness and in many cases can lead to hospitalisation or even be fatal. Symptoms of influenza come on suddenly and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, coughing, a runny nose and an upset stomach.

The flu vaccine is free for some people. People eligible for a free vaccine include:

• Children aged 6 months to 12 years old
• Pregnant people
• People aged 65 and over
• Māori and Pasifika people aged over 55
• People with underlying health conditions or significant mental illness

Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu and or COVID vaccine today. Talk to our helpful team at Feilding Health Care to organise your appointment, on 06 323 9696.

If you are at risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19 you will still get free healthcare.

With the Omicron variant circulating, most people can recover at home. This is due to very high vaccination levels and widespread natural immunity.

Additionally, with easy access to testing and self-isolation, we can focus on those who are more vulnerable.

People eligible for free healthcare

If you are at higher risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19, you are still eligible for free healthcare from your doctor.

This protects those who are most at risk of getting very ill from COVID-19, including:

• people with certain high-risk medical conditions
• Māori
• Pacific peoples
• some disabled people
• those over the age of 65
• anyone else that meets the criteria for access to antiviral medicines.

All other Covid-19 related appointments will be charged at the relevant GP or Nurse consultation rate.

• Are you due for your smear test? Book your appointment today at Feilding Health Care. It only takes ten minutes to save your life.
• A smear test will detect any cell changes in your cervix so we can act faster to help you prevent cervical cancer.
• The sooner any changes are addressed, the better your chances are of success – that’s why it’s so important for you to book your cervical screening appointment.
• Although 90% of cervical screenings are perfectly normal, if your smear test shows any changes suggestive of cervical cancer, you will be referred to a specialist within one week.
• We promise we’ll be quick, discreet and if you’d prefer you can request a female professional to take your screening.
• If you are aged 25-69, have a cervix and have ever been sexually active, give us a call to see when you’re due your next smear test.
• We’re proud to be a LGBTQIA+ healthcare service. If you have a cervix, you need screening. Take 10 minutes to save your life, in a supportive and respectful clinic.
• It doesn’t matter if you are immunised against HPV, are no longer having sex, only have sex with women or have been through menopause – you still need to get regular smear tests.

• Cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent – as long as we detect the cell changes that cause it, early.
• Regular cervical screening can detect any changes on the cervix so they can be treated before they turn into cancer.
• New Zealand has one of the best cervical screening programmes in the world.
• Almost all cervical cancer is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is spread by sexual activity. Eighty percent of people who have been sexually active will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
• It’s completely up to you who takes your screen. You can choose to go to your regular doctor or choose to go to:
  • any doctor or practice nurse
  • Family Planning
  • your sexual health service
  • marae-based or other Māori health centres
  • community health services, eg, Pacific or women’s health centre
• Whoever you choose, all screen takers are specially trained to make sure the test is comfortable, and meets your rights as a patient.

There is excitement and anticipation in the air on Duke Street where the latest addition to the Feilding Health Centre complex approaches its due date.

On the site adjacent to the building that formally housed the Feilding Maternity Hospital, and is now the Feilding Health Centre, the old Clevely Ward has undergone a rebirth of its own.

Owned by the Manawatū Community Trust (MCT) since 2015, the building was always earmarked as an extension to the Feilding Health Care Centre development next door.

Since its opening in 2016, Feilding Health Care (FHC) has flourished and the nearly 1000 square metre Clevely Wing will provide welcome additional workspace for General Practitioners and the diverse medical services that are offered there.

Leased to Feilding Health Care Property Management Ltd., both buildings are owned by the Manawatū Community Trust on land that remains the property of the MidCentral DHB.

The Clevely Ward operated as a geriatric facility from 1983 to 2005, and was named after local Hospital Board member, the late Jim Clevely.

The $2.1M the Manawatū Community Trust will invest in developing the Clevely site has been tightly managed by a Project Control Group made up of representatives of the Trust, the FHC and construction company Colspec.

Manawatū Community Trustee and Project Control Group chairman Liam Greer says the Trust is excited about the extensive refurbishment of the Clevely Wing. “The development aligns with the Trust’s mission to promote the provision of health and wellbeing services to the residents of the Manawatu district.”

Greer says the Trust is happy to have Colspec working on the Duke Street site again. The Manawatū based construction company undertook the substantial new build of the Health Centre. “The Clevely project has thrown us plenty of challenges in a unique construction environment of transport logistics, labour and materials shortages.”

Chief Executive Officer of FHC Nicky Hart says, “We are extremely grateful to be working in collaboration with MCT to extend the Feilding Health Care Facility and appreciate their commitment to the community. The redeveloped Clevely Wing will be a more suitable environment for the community mental health team and allow for more GP and Nursing services.”

The MCT was established as a not-for-profit organisation in 2008 by the Manawatū District Council, and, as its core business, owns and manages 205 flats for pensioners and those with disabilities in Feilding, Rongotea and Sanson.

In its undertaking to meet the high demand for affordable housing in the area, the Trust has recently gained resource consent to build a further ten single bedroom flats and two double bedroom flats in Feilding. The cul-de-sac of units, accessible off Beattie Street, will be known as Corrick Court and is expected to be completed early in 2023.

The MCT also supports the Senior Hub of Manchester Social Services and the MENZSHED.

COVID-19 Boosters are available for people that finished their primary course more than four months ago.  You can book these at Feilding Health Care by ringing 06 323 9696, or book at another site by visiting https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/.  There are a number of walk in options shown on this website. Feilding Health Care will hold some walk in clinics in coming weeks,  and let you know when these are confirmed.

You now have the opportunity to protect children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19, by being vaccinated with a child (paediatric) formulation of the Pfizer vaccine.  These can be booked by ringing 06 323 9696.  If you are unsure about the vaccine for your children, you can use this appointment time to learn more about it before you make a decision. Information about the vaccine can be found here.https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-health-advice/covid-19-vaccine-and-children-information-parents-and-caregivers.

Boosters are currently available to people over
the age of 18 who finished their primary course of
the COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago.
In January, this interval will be reduced to four
months.
From 5 January, people aged 18+ who had their
second or third primary dose of the vaccine more
than four months ago will be able to attend walk in
clinics for their booster. Bookings can be made
on BookMyVaccine.nz from 17 January.

575 Main Street, Palmerston North

Wednesday 5th January will be return to normal opening hours.

Monday to Friday – 8.30 to 4pm

Saturday & Sunday – 10am to 2pm

• Christmas Day Closed
• Boxing Day – Closed
• Monday 27th to Tuesday 28th December – Closed
• Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st Dec 10am to 2pm
• New Year’s Day – Closed
• Sunday 2nd to Tuesday 4th January – Closed
• Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th January 10am to 2pm

Monday 10th January we will be returning to our normal opening hours. Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm