News and Updates
See the latest at Mansfield Health Practice
Changes to your prescription length
From 1 February, people with stable, long-term health conditions may be able to get prescriptions that last up to 12 months.
Most medicines are still dispensed at three monthly intervals.
Ask your doctor if you could be eligible.
Find out more at
info.health.nz/Prescriptions
The age for free breast screening is being extended
The age for free breast screening is being extended
Free mammograms are currently offered to women between the ages of 45 to 69 every 2 years.
From October 2025 the age for free breast screening will start to be extended across Aotearoa New Zealand (apart from Nelson and Marlborough, which started as a pilot district in October 2024).
Age extension in the Nelson and Marlborough district
Extending the age to include all women up to the age of 74 will be fully in place by the end of 2029. Phasing in each age group over 4 years will allow breast screening and cancer treatment services to meet the additional demand.
From October 2025 the age extension for further breast screening begins with women in the 2 age groups of 70 and 74.
What the national age extension means for you
If you turn 70 on or after 1 October 2025, you are eligible for free mammograms every 2 years (from your last screen) until aged 75.
If you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2025, you are eligible for one final screen at age 74 if booked before turning 75.
Age extension eligibility calculator
Follow this link to use the eligibility calculator
Age extension in the Nelson and Marlborough district
If you live in the Nelson and Marlborough district, age extension started in October 2024. This means:
- if you turn 70 on or after 1 October 2024, you are eligible for free mammograms every 2 years (from your last screen) until aged 75
- if you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2024, you are eligible for one final screen at age 74 if booked before turning 75.
Booking your mammogram with BreastScreen Aotearoa
If you are eligible and due for a mammogram with BreastScreen Aotearoa, you should receive an invitation by email, text or letter. You can enrol and book either:
- online using the secure personalised link in your invitation
- by freephoning 0800 270 200
If you think you are eligible and due, but have not received an invitation, let us know by either:
- calling the freephone number 0800 270 200
- completing the enrolment form.
Sign up for free breast screening
It is your choice to participate
You can choose whether or not to participate in BreastScreen Aotearoa. You can ask to opt out of the programme at any time. You can also ask to rejoin, as long as you remain eligible.
Read this information and talk with your healthcare provider to help you decide if continuing to have mammograms is right for you.
Mammograms for women who are not eligible for BreastScreen Aotearoa
Mammograms are an important part of checking breast symptoms (like a new breast lump or change) for women of any age. While not done as part of the screening programme, with a healthcare provider's referral women with symptoms can have free mammograms at a public hospital.
Those at a greater than average risk of getting breast cancer can also be referred by a healthcare provider to have free mammograms, even if they do not have symptoms. This applies if, for example, you have had one (or more) of the following:
- a previous breast cancer
- a previous biopsy showing abnormal breast cells
- a close relative (for example, a daughter, sister, mother, aunt or grandparent) who developed breast cancer (especially if in both breasts), or ovarian cancer.
If women aged 75 and over have concerns about their risk of breast cancer and wish to continue having screening mammograms, we recommend they talk to their healthcare provider to find out if breast screening is right for them. This will not be publicly funded.
Checking for signs of breast cancer
All women need to get to know what their breasts are like normally (whether having mammograms or not).
If you notice any of the following changes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible:
- a new lump in the breast or armpit
- changes to the breast shape or size
- changes to the skin of the breast such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening
- changes in the nipple, such as turning inwards, ulcers, or a new itch
- nipple discharge or bleeding
- persistent redness
- pain in the breast that does not go away.
Women of any age with breast cancer symptoms can have free mammograms with their healthcare provider's referral.
New to the Team
Dr Graeme Bennetts (Locum)
Dr Graeme Bennetts is an Otago graduate with nearly 40 years experience in General Practice.
He has wide range of special interests including Pharmacology, Musculoskeletal Medicine (including joint injections ), dermatology and dermoscopy (including full skin checks). He had extensive experience in minor surgery and removal of skin cancers.
Dr Bennetts likes to take a holistic approach to medicine.
Rachel - Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
Rachel is here to help with anything that is getting in the way of your health and wellbeing, big or small. e.g. sleep, stress, worried feelings, low mood, alcohol use, anger.
We will have short sessions where we focus on one thing at a time and work together to come up with a plan that works for you. Ask the GP, Nurse, or reception about booking in to see Rachel today, no referral required.
You can book to see Rachel from 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday (for free)
Rebecca Grant – Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Rebecca brings over 20 years of clinical experience, including 7 years as a qualified Nurse Practitioner. She has worked across acute care, general practice, aged care, and PRIME services.
As a Nurse Practitioner, Rebecca is able to provide a wide range of healthcare services traditionally performed by GPs, such as prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing both acute and chronic conditions. Known for her warm, collaborative, and patient-focused approach, she is also actively involved with the Nursing Council and leads her own healthcare initiatives.
Rebecca is welcoming
new enrolments and you can book to see her today!
Shingles Vaccine
SHINGRIX (shingles) vaccine is free for patients who are 65 years old.
Costs will apply for people who are not 65 years old. $375 per dose
SHINGRIX is given as a 2-dose series, with the second dose administered 2 to 6 months after the first dose.
To maximise the protection offered by SHINGRIX, it is important that you get both doses
Measles Vaccine Information
Find out more here
