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Exciting Leadership Announcement at Pacific Health Plus
We are pleased to announce a significant development within Pacific Health Plus as we welcome Cory Vessey as our new General Manager. Cory will be taking over from Api Fiso, who will be assuming a Managing Director’s role, focusing on overarching strategies and initiatives that will further elevate Pacific Health Plus.
We are pleased to announce a significant development within Pacific Health Plus as we welcome Cory Vessey as our new General Manager. Cory will be taking over from Api Fiso, who will be assuming a Managing Director’s role, focusing on overarching strategies and initiatives that will further elevate Pacific Health Plus.
Cory brings valuable expertise and leadership aligned with our strategic goals. His career spans more than 10 years in the health sector where he has been responsible for commissioning health and social services with a particular focus on improving outcomes for Pacific. Throughout his career, Cory has held a mixture of operational and leadership roles, this includes his most recent role as the Director of Commissioning for Pasifika Medical Association. He brings a strong combination of experience in public health services and working within and across Pacific sector networks. Cory is excited about the opportunity to join and work alongside the PHP team to continue improving outcomes for Pasifika people.
In addition to overseeing pivotal strategic growth areas critical to our mission, including investing in new health technologies, developing partnerships, expanding our community outreach, fostering staff growth, improving patient interactions, and more, Cory will also handle significant budget responsibilities.
Cory is of Niuean descent, a proud Wellingtonian, and enjoys spending time and travelling with his family (Cassandra and Matisse).
Cory's role is crucial in driving Pacific Health Plus forward, and we're confident in his capabilities. Welcome to the aiga, Cory. We are excited about the positive impact we know you will bring to our team.
Pacific Health Volleyball Tournament
The Fiso Group and Pacific Health Plus, with support from Pasifika Futures, Volleyball New Zealand and many more sponsors, hosted a one day volleyball tournament in September to promote Pacific health.
The Fiso Group and Pacific Health Plus, with support from Pasifika Futures, Volleyball New Zealand and many more sponsors, hosted a one-day volleyball tournament in September to promote Pacific health. It was a wonderful turnout of 38 teams and more than 500 people. It was a great way to promote healthy lifestyles, healthy families and healthy Pacific communities. There was plenty of fun and laughter.
Fa'afetai tele lava to our sponsors for making this event happen!
Event sponsors: Fiso Group, Pacific Health Plus, Volleyball New Zealand, Pasifika Futures, Wellington - LIVE, Sweet & Co, Talima Estate, Instinct Fitness, Colliers New Zealand, Bodyhaven Spa Style Boutique, Whitby Collegiate School, Connect Global Limited and Legacy 2.0.
Helping our community get vaccinated
Approaching people on the streets, providing transport: Read Stuff NZ’s article on Pacific Health Plus and its role in helping our community get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Read Stuff NZ’s article on Pacific Health Plus and its role in helping our community get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Hosting the Pasifika Caucus
We were excited to host MP for Mana, Barbara Edmonds, and members of the Pāsifika Health, Wellness and Social Services Caucus Committee at the vaccination clinic in Porirua on 13th August.
Talofa lava | Kia ora | Aloha mai e | Ia orana | Taloha ni Malo ni | Fakaalofa lahi atu | ‘Alii | Ni sa bula vinaka | Kia orana Halo olaketa | Mauri | Warm Pacific greetings | Malo e lelei
We were excited to host MP for Mana, Barbara Edmonds, and members of the Pāsifika Health, Wellness and Social Services Caucus Committee at the vaccination clinic in Porirua on 13th August.
Joined by Whitby Collegiate students, Porirua Union Community Health Service and the wider vaccination team, the afternoon involved a tour of Pacific Health Plus and the COVID-19 vaccination clinic that is operating in Freedom Church in Porirua. The gathering celebrates and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our Pasefika communities through the collaboration of Pacific Health Plus, government representatives, local health organisations and volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who was involved and shared this afternoon with us.
Welcoming our Covid-19 Vaccination Centre to the community
The Pacific Health Plus (PHP) team is proud to continue its effort in meeting needs and changing lives by delivering a COVID-19 vaccine service for our community at Freedom Church Porirua with the help of Porirua Union Community Health Service (PUCHS).
Pacific Health Plus Covid Vaccine Clinic at Freedom Church Porirua
Talofa lava | Kia ora | Aloha mai e | Ia orana | Taloha ni Malo ni | Fakaalofa lahi atu | ‘Alii | Ni sa bula vinaka | Kia orana Halo olaketa | Mauri | Warm Pacific greetings | Malo e lelei
The Pacific Health Plus (PHP) team is proud to continue its effort in meeting needs and changing lives by delivering a COVID-19 vaccine service for our community at Freedom Church Porirua with the help of Porirua Union Community Health Service (PUCHS). A very warm Pacific welcome greeted guests at the Community Covid Vaccine Centre opening and blessing this morning. Thank you to Barbara Edmonds MP and Pacific Director Tagaloa Junior Ulu at Capital & Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) for joining us in celebrating these collaborative efforts, to Pastor Teremoana Tauira for the warm welcomes and blessings, and to Molly Fiso Advisory Board Member Pacific Health Plus on behalf of Fiso John Fiso, Chair of Pacific Health Plus. Faʻafetai
As the only Pacific owned and governed medical practice in the Wellington region, it is important that initiatives like the Covid Vaccine Clinic are responsive to Pacific needs and are driven by Pasefika to reflect meaningful engagement for Pasefika in being integral to solutions and not just end users of healthcare.
What you need to know about Breast and Bowel Screening
Important information to know about breast screening and bowel screening, and what impact COVID-19 has on these services. See the information below, sourced from Time to Screen.
Important information to know about breast screening and bowel screening, and what impact COVID-19 has on these services. See the information below, sourced from Time to Screen.
Let us know if you’ve had a COVID-19 or Flu vaccination before your appointment.
HAVING A MAMMOGRAM
INFORMATION SOURCE: timetoscreen.nz/breast-screening/having-a-mammogram
Eligible women aged between 45 and 69 can get a free mammogram (a kind of breast check) every 2 years. This is part of a programme run by BreastScreen Aotearoa.
If you:
are aged 45 to 69
have no symptoms of breast cancer
have not had a mammogram from another provider within the last 12 months
are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
are eligible for public health services in New Zealand (check on the Ministry of Health website)
then you can get a free mammogram every 2 years – sign up now.
You can choose whether or not to join BreastScreen Aotearoa and have regular mammograms. To help you decide, here is some information on the benefits and harms.
If you have had breast cancer before, you can sign up 5 years after your breast cancer was diagnosed. Before that time, your doctor or specialist will make sure you have regular check ups.
If you do have breast symptoms you’re worried about, see your doctor – don’t wait for your next mammogram appointment!
Preparing for your mammogram
Go to Preparing for your mammogram for advice on what to expect – including if you need change your appointment, what happens at your appointment, and tips to make things easier.
After your mammogram
If anything needs checking after your mammogram, we’ll invite you to come back for further assessment. This is also free. You can find out more at After your mammogram.
For most women, no cancer will be found, and we’ll invite you to come for another mammogram in 2 years.
If cancer is found then you will be offered treatment through your public hospital. Treatment is free. Find out more at Treatment.
Not eligible?
There are other publicly funded options available if you are not eligible for the free 2-yearly mammograms. Ask your doctor next time you see them.
COVID-19 and Breast Screening
Let us know if you’ve had a COVID-19 or Flu vaccination before your appointment.
BreastScreen Aotearoa services are continuing to operate, although your appointment could be slightly different as staff will be taking additional precautions, including keeping their distance as much as possible.
If you are sick or have been in contact with a COVID-19 case: It is important that you stay home and don’t attend your appointment. Please do give us a call and let us know that you can’t make it and we can re-book you in for another time. If you do have cold or flu symptoms, then you should also call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
BOWEL SCREENING
INFORMATION SOURCE: timetoscreen.nz/bowel-screening
The National Bowel Screening Programme is free for people aged 60 to 74 years. It aims to save lives by finding bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated.
How does the Covid-19 Vaccine Work?
As the world experiences the roll out COVID-19 vaccine, the World Health Organisation delve into how vaccines actually work. What are the different types of vaccine? How do they trigger and train the immune system, and what is the role of herd immunity?
As the world experiences the roll out COVID-19 vaccine, the World Health Organisation delve into how vaccines actually work. What are the different types of vaccine? How do they trigger and train the immune system, and what is the role of herd immunity?
Watch the following videos below to find out how the vaccine actually works.
Dr Emma Espiner and Dr Api Talemaitoga answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions.Dr Emma Espiner and Dr Api Talemaitoga answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions. For more information, visit www.covid19.govt.nz/vaccines
Posted by Unite against COVID-19 on Monday, May 10, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccination Information Evening
Pacific Health Plus in conjunction with Ministry of Pacific Peoples and Ministry of Health hosted a community fono last night for the Porirua region. The COVID-19 Vaccination Information Evening brought together the community to inform and prepare for the roll outs of vaccinations to our wider community.
Bringing together our community to inform and prepare for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout
Pacific Health Plus in conjunction with Ministry of Pacific Peoples and Ministry of Health hosted a community fono last night for the Porirua region. The COVID-19 Vaccination Information Evening brought together the community to inform and prepare for the roll outs of vaccinations to our wider community.
It was fantastic to see a full house at this event with Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga, Dr Debbie Ryan, Mana MP Barbara Edmonds, Ministries of Health and Pacific Peoples, and our very own Pacific Health Plus Chairman Fiso John Fiso and the PHP team.
Thank you to Pacific Leaders Group representatives Siaosi Anamani for welcoming the community and MCing the evening, and Zechariah Reuelu for the closing encouragements. Thank you also to Pastor Teremoana Tauira for the opening and closing prayer, and to the students from Whitby Collegiate for being great helpers.
Chairman of PHP, Fiso John Fiso, opened the evening by stating the purpose of the fono and introduced speakers MP for Mana Barbara Edmonds, Dr Api, Dr Ryan, DHB representative Tagaloa Junior Ulu, and MOH and MPP teams.
Chairman of Pacific Health Plus, Fiso John Fiso
Key messages from the evening were:
The Pfizer vaccine is FREE and available to everyone aged 16 and over. It will help to protect New Zealand from COVID-19.
For the vaccine to be effective you must receive 2 DOSES.
There will be a specific location in Porirua where all COVID-19 vaccines will be administered. Decisions on this location will be made in coming weeks.
The vaccine is estimated to be available to the community from May/June.
When asked “is the vaccine safe?” Dr Api broke it down to 3 key points:
Clinical trials with over 40,000 people
Millions of doses already given overseas
NZ Med Safe approved
A Q&A session provided our Porirua Pacific community with an opportunity to ask Dr Api, Dr Ryan and Ministry of Health representatives hard-hitting questions like, “what happens if you can’t get to the vaccination location?”, “is it safe if you take other medications for health conditions like diabetes?”, “will the vaccine protect you from other COVID-19 strains?”, and “why can’t the vaccination roll out be any faster?”.
Answers to these questions and more information can be found on the following websites. More information will be advertised as the campaign rolls out to our wider community.
Mobile Treatment Health Unit
Pacific Health Plus has set up a mobile health unit so that we can provide care to patients who, for whatever reason cannot make it to the clinic for treatment. This means patients will be more likely to seek out treatment, and conditions can be treated at earlier stages in their development.
Pacific Health Plus has set up a mobile health unit so that we can provide care to patients who, for whatever reason cannot make it to the clinic for treatment. This means patients will be more likely to seek out treatment, and conditions can be treated at earlier stages in their development.
Poor efforts to wipe out Rheumatic Fever
Pacific Health Plus GP Dr Natano and Director Lee Pearce comment on the Government’s poor efforts to wipe out rheumatic fever after several regions have reported a spike in cases this year despite ongoing work to improve living standards.
Pacific Health Plus GP Dr Natano and Director Lee Pearce comment on the Government’s poor efforts to wipe out rheumatic fever after several regions have reported a spike in cases this year despite ongoing work to improve living standards.
Read the article full here:
