ProCare

For more information on ProCare - please see our website: www.procare.co.nz

ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, proactive and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa.

05/06/2026

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 (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.

04/06/2026

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

04/06/2026

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

03/06/2026

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.

02/06/2026

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.

30/05/2026

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.

28/05/2026

ProCare is pleased to see the Government lowering the age for free bowel screening, improving access to early detection and preventative care for more New Zealanders, but acknowledges an equity gap that still needs to be addressed.

The age for screening is expected to be lowered to 56 this September, following a drop to 58 years in March 2026.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “Keeping care in the community and supporting people to access checks earlier is always a win for primary care. Our teams in general practice are constantly looking for ways to keep their populations healthy, so expansions like these are always positive.”

“Previously, Māori and Pacific people have had access to free bowel screening from 50 years, which was a great equity move to support these communities who are often affected by bowel cancer at a younger age. Today’s announcement of lowering to 56 is welcome, but we want to acknowledge the gap in equity that we're still not addressing.”

Continued focus on equitable access will be critical to ensuring all communities benefit from early detection and improved outcomes.

You can read more here: https://www.procare.co.nz/news/2026/procare-welcomes-expansion-to-bowel-screening-but-acknowledges-the-equity-gap-that-remains/

28/05/2026

Primary care has once again been left behind in Budget 2026, with limited clear, targeted investment to match the growing burden of disease through aging, the increasing complexity of patient care, and constrained access to secondary care.

While the Government has committed more than $33 billion to health overall, nearly half of that funding continues to be directed toward hospitals and specialist services, reinforcing a system that prioritises treating illness over preventing it.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “General practice is the front door of the health system – but it continues to be funded as if it’s an afterthought. Research has shown that for every dollar invested in primary care results in between $13 and $15 in savings in secondary care, so we question why primary care continues to be overlooked."

“Without stronger investment in primary care, we will continue to see pressure build in emergency departments and hospital services. We simply cannot hospitalise our way out of this.”

“We need a stronger focus on planned, proactive care that deliberately shifts services into primary and community settings, improving access, reducing waiting times, and keeping people well in their communities.”

While there are small positive steps for access, the lack of meaningful investment risks further pressure on frontline services.

You can read more here: https://www.procare.co.nz/news/2026/primary-care-overlooked-again-in-budget-2026-despite-known-results-from-investment-in-primary-care/

28/05/2026

ProCare welcomes the Government’s $153.6 million investment in strengthening cyber security across New Zealand’s health system, recognising its importance in protecting patient information and maintaining continuity of care.

“Cyber security is fundamental to trust in primary care, from both a practice and patient perspective,” says Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare. “General practice teams handle highly sensitive information every day, so stronger protections are essential."

"Primary care relies on a wide ecosystem of digital tools, so clearer safeguards, stronger accountability, and closer collaboration with Health New Zealand will help reduce risk and build system-wide confidence.”

This investment should enable practices to keep their focus where it matters most – delivering care to patients.

You can read more here: https://www.procare.co.nz/news/2026/procare-welcomes-government-s-cyber-security-investment/

24/05/2026

Protecting our communities against preventable illness is one of the most practical ways we can support our health system and ease pressure on general practice.

It’s great to see Pharmac consulting this week on widening access to funded flu and pneumococcal vaccines, including the potential to fund flu vaccines for tamariki aged 6 months to 5 years in 2027. This would make a real difference to the health of whānau next winter.

We'll be responding with strong support for this move to improve access.

A reminder that the current funded flu vaccine is available to people aged 65 and over, along with others who meet eligibility criteria, including people who are pregnant and those with certain health conditions.

Read more about the Pharmac consultation and the current Health NZ flu vaccine eligibility in the comments below.

Address

12/16 Nicholls Lane
Auckland
1010

Website

http://www.procare.co.nz/

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