Social connectedness is “totally paramount” to improve the health and wellbeing of our Maori whanau - that's the take away message from the first ever marae-based pulmonary rehab course.

When Katherine Thomas lost weight and suffered bouts of diarrhoea while studying at university, it was chalked up to the stress of exams. But after many appointments across the health system, Katherine was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Having an Acute Plan has made a huge difference to Katherine’s experience of accessing health services.

Findings from a study of more than 100 Cantabrians aged over 65 show that two thirds had used the internet to search for health information in the last year and more than half were extremely or quite confident searching for health information online.

A Pacific Caucus, which brings Pacific members from across the Canterbury Clinical Network together, was officially launched in June. The group, which aims to support members to provide a coordinated focus on equitable health outcomes for Pacific people, is facilitated by Pegasus Health's Pacific Health Project Manager, Maria Pasene.

A short-life working group which aims to develop local agreement around electronically charting medications for residents of Aged Residential Care (ARC) is inviting feedback from prescribers and other users.

The Alliance Leadership Team (ALT) officially welcomed a new member to its ranks last week. Having lived and worked as a GP in a remote rural community for 24 years, Dr Andrea Judd brings a wealth of knowledge around rural health and is well connected in the rural GP and rural hospital space.

National Volunteer Week is the perfect chance to tell the story of one of the many dedicated and skilled volunteers who support our health system. 72-years-young Anne Pike, a volunteer for Canterbury Clinical Network’s Better Breathing Programme, is almost as busy now as she was before she retired. Read more about her volunteer role here.

With a long weekend (and winter) just around the corner, now’s the time to make sure you know when and where to access care if you or your family get sick.