Kia ora koutou (hello everyone),

The Government recently announced changes to eligibility for free COVID healthcare as part of its move towards managing COVID similarly to other public health diseases.

From 13 February, you may need to pay for COVID-related visits at our practice. However, free COVID healthcare will continue to be available for people at higher risk of becoming very sick, including:

• People with high-risk medical conditions
• Māori and Pacific people
• People with disabilities
• People aged 65 years and over
• People who meet the criteria for access to antiviral medicines

If you are isolating at home, you can call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you need advice or guidance on managing your symptoms. Hospital-level care remains free.

Please visit covid19.govt.nz for more information.

Ngā mihi (thanks),
The Ruatahi Medical Centre Team

February is Heart Health Awareness Month in Aotearoa New Zealand. This month, use My Heart Check to:

• Get an idea of your heart health (including risks)
• Get tips on improving your health health
• Start a conversation with our clinical team

Designed for Kiwis, the tool uses information about your medical history, where you live, and your ethnicity to give you an estimate. It works best for people aged 30-75. However, you can still use it if you're older or younger (but the results may be less accurate).

PLEASE NOTE: My Heart Check isn't appropriate for people who've had a heart attack, stroke or heart condition. Please continue to talk to our clinical team for advice on managing your condition.