Recognising International Nurses Day (12 May) and World Family Doctor Day (19 May)

A parent remembers the nurse who answered every question and made sure they left feeling confident, not scared. An older man remembers the GP who noticed something others had missed which ended up saving his life. A young person remembers feeling seen, not just as a patient but as a person.

Across our communities, there are countless moments like these. They may seem small at the time, but they stay with people for years. They remind us that healthcare is not only about appointments and prescriptions. It is about trust, kindness, reassurance and knowing someone is there when you need them most.

Each May, International Nurses Day and World Family Doctor Day give us a moment to honour the people behind so much of the care that happens in our communities.

You are there for whānau during some of life’s hardest moments. When people are worried, overwhelmed or simply needing someone to listen. You help people understand what comes next. You notice when something is not quite right. You build relationships that can last years, sometimes generations.

We know the work is not easy. Many of you are caring for growing numbers of patients with increasingly complex needs, under real pressure and with limited time. Yet you continue to show compassion, professionalism and commitment to the people who rely on you.

As a local GP and iwi governed organisation, WBOP PHO is proud to work alongside you in serving our communities across the Bay of Plenty. The care you provide reaches far beyond clinic walls.

On behalf of our WBOP PHO whānau, thank you.

Thank you for the long days, the difficult conversations and the quiet acts of care. You may never know the full weight of what you give to people. But the people you care for do.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sarah Stevenson
Chief Executive, WBOP PHO