Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATS) for COVID-19 testing will continue to be available to the public and the health and disability sector up until the end of June 2024, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has confirmed today.  To find out more, please click on this link Free RATs to continue until 30 June 2024 – Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand

There has been a constant stream of locals looking over the fence at 111 Cambridge Avenue  to view the progress of their much anticipated Medical Centre. The original Art Deco property nears completion of the necessary repurposing and retrofitting for the Medical Centre.   The local development of the centre  will be operated  and run by FHC(Feilding Health Care). It will have its own dedicated team of Doctors, Nurses and administration team. Many projects throughout the country are currently fraught with delays; unable to source supplies, labour shortages and consenting requirements. It is certainly no  mean feat that the opening of the new centre,  originally scheduled for this month, is only going to be adjusted to June of this year. “We have a great team of local contractors working on the site, and the progress has been great,” says Chairman of Ashurst Community Trust, Richard Tankersley. “However, we have had the odd hold up.” The local team is made up of DBS Building Services,  taking care of building additions and modifications. Kenny Allison, APV plumbing. Danny Giles, Prime Electrical Solutions.  Mike Scott (Colyton, only up the road from Ashhurst) did all the excavation work.  ICONA supplied alarms and data. “We know that having access to a Doctor based at Ashhurst and the wider rural district has been sorely missed.  We are so close to meeting the project goal of having local health care in our growing community for all age groups.”