ProCare

With winter having rolled around, it’s important we look after ourselves and our whānau as the temperature drops. Here are a few key tips for staying well and keeping warm:

✅ Ensure your vaccinations are up to date: winter illnesses like flu can be serious especially for vulnerable whānau and tamaraki, so it’s important we immunise to protect ourselves and whānau from preventable illness. You can book your flu immunisation through your GP or online at bookmyvaccine.nz — and check if you're eligible for a funded vaccine!

🧣 Keep warm at home: make sure to layer up and use blankets to stay warm and remember keeping active indoors will help warm you up too.

🍲 Eat nourishing meals: warm and healthy foods like soups will fuel your body and strengthen your immune system.

💧 Drink water: it’s easy to forget in winter, but it’s important to stay hydrated to boost body functions and flush out winter bugs.

🧼 Practice good hygiene: washing hands regularly and thoroughly is key to keeping unwanted germs away.

Yesterday, Bindi Norwell spoke with RNZ’s Morning Report as part of the weekly CEO slot, covering multidisciplinary teams, growing the workforce, reducing administrative burden, and the complementary role of virtual health services like CareHQ.

Bindi emphasised the importance of keeping people well through high-quality, continuity of care. She spoke about the need to realise the potential of AI to support more proactive, preventative healthcare by using predictive insights to help people access care earlier.

By having these conversations, we’re keeping primary care front of mind, helping people better understand the pressures on the sector, and continuing to advocate for action that supports general practice and improves health outcomes for our communities.

Listen to the interview: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2019038802/procare-boss-discusses-use-of-ai-in-health-sector

At ProCare, we’re committed to making a positive difference in primary care and for our Network, and strong advocacy through communications and public engagement is a key part of that.

A huge congratulations to our Brand & Communications team for their success at the PRINZ (Public Relations Institute of New Zealand) Awards last night, taking out a gold in the Government Relations and Public Affairs category and a silver in Best use of small budget for impact.

We’re incredibly proud of the mahi behind this work – shining a light on the underfunding of general practice and ensuring the voices of our sector are heard. This recognition not only reflects the quality of the campaign, but the importance of the issue itself. It’s a powerful reminder that when we speak with a clear, collective voice, we can drive the conversations that matter and push for meaningful change.

With workforce pressures continuing to intensify in primary care, ProCare has been investing in solutions that reduce administrative burden and free up more time for patient care.

As part of this work, our GM of Strategic Development, Paul Roseman, represented ProCare at a HiNZ webinar exploring the growing role of robotic process automation (RPA) in healthcare. He shared insights from our experience, including how automation can be applied in real-world practice settings to improve efficiency.

The discussion highlighted the importance of finding the right solution for the right problem. With AI, there are opportunities to enhance these processes further — improving how they run and strengthening quality through better auditing and checks.

By contributing to sector conversations like this, we’re sharing what we’re learning and staying connected to innovations that can make a practical difference for our Network.

Watch the webinar recording: https://www.hinz.org.nz/page/HiNZWebinar-22April2026

Dr Tania Wilson, our General Manager of Fresh Minds and Director of Psychological & Behavioural Health, recently represented us at the launch of the Government’s new Business Mental Health Toolkit. Developed by Health NZ, the toolkit brings together accessible resources to help leaders support their teams’ mental health.

Tania says, "It was a great opportunity to connect with others leading in the wellbeing space and to share our latest work through our Fresh Minds services. Showing up to these sessions is an important way we advocate for stronger focus and support for mental health, and to help amplify awareness of the resources our communities need.

“The toolkit is a practical step forward for businesses to better support mental health at work. Creating workplaces where people feel safe, well, and supported in their mahi is essential to sustaining both our workforce and the care we provide.”

Explore the toolkit on the Health NZ website: https://www.wellbeingsupport.health.nz/toolkit

We’re excited to be heading to GPCME Rotorua next week (Friday 12 – Saturday 13 June)!

As one of New Zealand’s leading health and wellbeing providers, we’re looking forward to connecting with professionals in the primary care space, and sharing ideas that support better outcomes for communities across Aotearoa.

Come and chat with Gabrielle, Anna, and Vanessa at Booth 84, alongside our friends from HealthForce NZ by ProCare 👋

We’re looking forward to the conversations, insights, and opportunities to learn alongside you.

Dr Shanthi Selvakumar, a GP at Blockhouse Bay Medical Centre, has been awarded the King’s Service Medal in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, recognising her services to migrant and refugee communities.

With more than 30 years in general practice, Shanthi’s care goes beyond practice appointments, supporting migrant families, women and children, and helping build safer, more connected communities.

Shanthi shared: “By empowering communities with knowledge and accessible support, we can create safer futures for women, children, and generations to come.”

Congratulations Shanthi. We’re incredibly proud to have leaders like you as part of our Network.

Talofa tagata uma - today marks the beginning of Samoan Language Week, a time to celebrate the unique language, culture, and customs of Samoa, and recognise our Samoan communities living in New Zealand.

The theme for this week is ‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le 'nu'u - From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.’

You can take part in Samoan Language Week by checking out the Ministry of Pacific People’s website, which provides handy resources for learning the language!

https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes-and-funding/pacific-languages/pacific-language-weeks/samoa-language-week/

Also, don’t forget to download our free app Tala-Moana, which contains useful information about seven key Pacific Languages, including Samoan.