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Good news for parents and caregivers! From 1 September 2026, influenza vaccination is now funded for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years. Previously, funding was limited to children who met certain eligibility criteria. This has now been expanded in response to high rates of influenza illness and hospitalisations among young children.If your child is aged 6 months to under 5 years, they are now eligible for a funded flu vaccine. How many doses will my child need?If your child is 6 months to under 4 years and this is their first year receiving a flu vaccination, they will require 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart. If your child has previously received a flu vaccination, they will generally require just 1 dose this year. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. The New Zealand flu season started later than usual and may continue for longer this year. The current flu vaccine is a good match for the influenza viruses currently circulating. Please contact Halswellhealth reception 03 322 8121 to book your child’s vaccination or you can book via your patient portal. Read More

We are very sad to advise that our friend and colleague Anna Swain passed away this week, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with motor neurone disease.Read More

Pertussis / Whooping cough Pertussis continues to circulate in NZ and there have been several recent cases in our local area.You can read about this illness here:-https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/w/whooping-cough If you have been advised by your whānau's preschool / school that your child might have been exposed to Pertussis, please follow the advice from Public Health contained in the letter you received from your kura.If you have been advised to see your GP team, or someone in your whānau is unwell and you think it might be Pertussis, please call and speak with a nurse. If you need to be seen for an appointment, we will ask you to wear a mask and wait in a safe place to protect others. The GP will assess you/your child and, following Public Health guidelines, determine whether a swab or treatment is appropriate.Read More

 Getting the flu vaccine is a great time to also check for and receive any recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Like influenza, COVID-19 is highly contagious and can lead to severe respiratory illness and complications in older people and those with underlying medical conditions. It remains a leading cause of infection related hospitalisations and deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly for older adults. Once or twice-yearly additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged if older or at higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19. These are important because vaccine protection decreases over time, and the vaccine is updated regularly to match changes in the circulating COVID-19 virus. In 2026, the vaccine has been updated to target the LP.8.1 variant.    Read More

From 1 July 2026, Halswellhealth will no longer be providing B4 School Checks. These checks will instead be completed by the Public Health Team. Your child’s B4 School Check will be organised directly by the Public Health Team, who will contact you to arrange an appointment. If you have not heard from them by the time your child is 4 years and 6 months old, please contact the Canterbury B4SC Coordination Team:Email: [email protected]: 03 353 9920 For some children (born before 1 July 2022), a mobile team will be in touch once your child has been allocated to a provider. Appointments are arranged based on age and need. What happens at the B4 School Check? You and your child will attend an appointment at a Public Health-run site, lasting around 45 minutes. The nurse will explain what the check involves and ask for your consent before starting. This is a good opportunity to talk about your child’s development and raise any questions or concerns you may have. Before your appointment Before attending, you may find it helpful to look through the B4 School Check pages in your child’s “My Health Book”. This can help you prepare any questions or topics you would like to discuss.Read More

From 1st February 2026, vocationally trained GPs with additional training and capacity will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD for adults aged 18 and above.  Read More

You may be aware that Dr Lucinda Bell is about to take some time away from Halswellhealth as she welcomes a baby into her family. Lucinda's last day will be 9 January 2026 and she anticipates returning in November 2026Read More