Capes Medical Supplies is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Aspen Surgical, the global organisation behind the Symmetry Surgical portfolio — one of the most trusted, clinically proven and historically significant families of surgical instruments in the world.

Through this partnership, New Zealand theatre and CSSD teams will have direct access to a suite of premium, German-made Symmetry Surgical instruments, backed by more than 300 years of combined heritage and relied on by surgeons across the globe.

A legacy New Zealand surgeons will instantly recognise
While the Aspen name may be new to some Aotearoa-based clinicians, the instruments absolutely won’t be. The Symmetry Surgical portfolio includes some of the most iconic and proven tools in modern surgery, such as:

• Kerrison & Shurtleff neurosurgery instruments
• The world-renowned Bookwalter® Retractor System
• SSI (Specialty Surgical Instrumentation)
• Olsen Medical electro-surgery instruments

Symmetry Surgical combines a legacy of heritage instruments crafted in Germany—the epicenter of surgical instrument manufacturing since the early 1800s—with advanced craftsmanship and precision that have defined operating rooms for generations.
Today, Symmetry Surgical maintains more than 13,000 surgical products spanning access, intervention and closure — all engineered to support safer surgery and superior patient outcomes across multiple specialties.

For New Zealand, that means clinicians can ask Capes Medical to source, match and replace instruments they have relied on for decades under names they know and trust: Bookwalter, SSI, Olsen, and more.

A partnership grounded in excellence, trust and shared values

“Aspen Surgical chose to partner with Capes because of their strong reputation, nationwide reach and genuine commitment to working alongside CSSD and theatre teams,” says Tony Pascoe, Managing Director / VP Australia & New Zealand, Aspen Surgical. “Capes puts the needs of healthcare professionals first, so they can focus on doing the incredible work they do. We’re proud to partner with a company that shares our focus on quality, reliability and patient outcomes.”

From their headquarters in Michigan, Aspen Surgical has built a global reputation for precision engineering, consistent performance and product innovation. That commitment extends across the entire Symmetry Surgical product family.

Strengthening support for New Zealand operating theatres and CSSD teams

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Aspen and bring the Symmetry Surgical portfolio to New Zealand,” says Ginene Scott, General Manager, Capes Medical Supplies. “These instruments are known worldwide for their craftsmanship and clinical performance. This partnership strengthens our commitment to theatre and CSSD teams, giving them greater access to reliable, high-quality tools — backed by a supplier who genuinely puts people first.”

This partnership is a significant step forward for New Zealand surgical services, offering:

• reliable access to world-leading surgical instruments
• better product matching and replacement support
• fair, transparent pricing
• clinical continuity for teams who rely on Codman, SSI and Bookwalter systems

Support for product matching, samples and replacements

Healthcare providers can now contact Capes Medical’s surgical team to:

• arrange product matching to replace instruments from other manufacturers
• discuss sets, trays and CSSD requirements
• view samples from the extensive portfolio

Speak with a Capes surgical instrument expert
If you’d like to know more about our range of surgical instruments, please get in touch and we’ll connect you with one of our experts.

When you’re running a busy clinic, aged care facility or community nursing service, you need wound care products you can depend on every single day. That’s where bpositive comes in — a hospital-grade range designed for the practical, essential dressing needs clinicians face most often.

While our ActivHeal range is developed for more complex or clinically challenging wounds — where antimicrobial protection, advanced exudate management or specialist technology is needed — bpositive focuses on the everyday fundamentals and the staples that keep patient care moving, at a price point that genuinely supports New Zealand healthcare.

Why BPositive belongs in your wound care toolkit

Hospital-grade essentials for daily care
The bpositive range covers the foundational dressings used across general practice, aged care, community nursing and outpatient settings. Its products are designed to perform consistently and comfortably, supporting a wide range of straightforward wound care needs.

This includes:

• absorbent non-adherent pads for everyday wound protection

• conforming gauze for secure, flexible support

• waterproof films ideal for outpatient and minor post-procedure care

They’re reliable, versatile and clinically trusted — exactly what frontline teams need for routine wound care tasks.

Delivers strong value without compromising care

One of the biggest pressures for New Zealand providers is the rising cost of consumables. bpositive is built with cost-efficiency in mind, giving clinicians a dependable, hospital-grade option that fits tighter budgets without sacrificing patient outcomes.

Clinics often tell us they notice:

• lower per-dressing spend

• less waste

• fewer unnecessary dressing changes

• consistent patient comfort and performance

With bpositive you can achieve great care on any budget. 

Designed to work alongside your full wound care range

bpositive isn’t here to replace everything else on your shelves — it’s here to strengthen what you already do. It complements, rather than competes with, advanced ranges like ActivHeal.

Think of it this way:

• BPositive = your high-quality, hospital-grade everyday essentials

• ActivHeal = your advanced solutions for complex or clinically challenging wounds

Together, they give your team the coverage and flexibility they need across all wound types.

Every purchase gives back

One of the standout features of bpositive is its Buy1Help1 social impact programme. Every time you purchase bpositive products, you help support meaningful community, health or humanitarian initiatives.

It’s a simple but powerful idea: your everyday wound care choices can improve care for others too.

Why BPositive matters for New Zealand healthcare

At a time when budgets are tight and patient needs continue to grow, BPositive offers a smarter, more compassionate choice.

It gives New Zealand clinicians:

• dependable quality

• fairer pricing

• products designed for real-world settings

• a tangible way to support wider community wellbeing

And most importantly, it helps ensure patients receive the standard of care they deserve — without compromise.

Want to trial bpositive for yourself?

We’d love to support you. We can help you:

• access samples to trial

• build a wound care kit that suits your setting

• compare products and pricing

• integrate bpositive alongside your existing range and/or Activheal

Get in touch today.

Visit the bpositive website and discover all the incredible mahi they do. 

1. What is ActivHeal PHMB Foam?

ActivHeal PHMB Foam is an advanced antimicrobial foam dressing used to support wound healing. It contains PHMB, which is an effective antiseptic that helps reduce bacteria in wounds and lowers the risk of infection. The dressing absorbs and retains exudate, protects surrounding skin and supports faster wound progression.

2. Have clinical evaluations been done to support the effectiveness of ActivHeal PHMB in wound care?

Yes. 11 clinical studies (incorporating the experience of 179 patients), indicate that the ActivHeal® PHMB Foam dressing range is effective at treating infected wounds. Read the product evaluation here.

3. What makes PHMB different from other antimicrobial options?

PHMB targets a broad range of microorganisms, including antibiotic resistant bacteria. It disrupts bacterial cell walls and helps prevent the growth of biofilm, which is a common barrier to healing in chronic wounds. PHMB is widely used in global wound care because it supports antimicrobial stewardship and avoids unnecessary use of topical antibiotics.

4. How does the dressing help with infection control?

Multiple clinical evaluations show that ActivHeal PHMB Foam reduces signs and symptoms of wound infection. In a large multicentre evaluation, 92 percent of wounds were free of infection signs after six weeks of treatment. Clinicians also reported improvements in wound heat, erythema, discharge and patient comfort.

5. How well does ActivHeal PHMB Foam manage wound exudate?

The dressing is designed for moderate to heavy exuding wounds. It absorbs and retains fluid, reduces the risk of maceration and protects fragile periwound skin. More than 95 percent of clinicians in a case series reported being satisfied with exudate management.

6. What kinds of wounds is it suitable for?

ActivHeal PHMB Foam can be used for a wide range of acute and chronic wounds. These include venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, burns, postoperative surgical wounds and wounds with moderate to heavy exudate. It is also suitable for wounds with fragile or sensitive skin, especially when using the silicone border version.

7. Does it help wounds progress faster?

Yes. Clinical evaluations consistently report reductions in wound size, slough and devitalised tissue. In a 119 patient study, the median wound area decreased from 14.8 cm² to 2.6 cm² over six weeks of treatment. There was also an increase in granulation and epithelial tissue, which are key markers of wound progression.

8. Does ActivHeal PHMB Foam help reduce patient pain?

Yes. In clinical studies, patient pain scores reduced significantly while using ActivHeal PHMB Foam. One study showed a reduction in median pain score from 5 to 0 over a six week period. Patients also reported that the dressing was comfortable and less traumatic to change.

9. Is it more cost effective than other antimicrobial dressings?

In many cases, yes. ActivHeal PHMB Foam is more affordable than silver based or iodine based antimicrobial foams. Because the dressing manages exudate effectively and supports faster wound progression, many patients require fewer dressing changes. This can lead to considerable cost savings for clinics, hospitals home care providers and aged care facilities.

10. Is there evidence from real cases?

Yes. Case studies show consistent improvements across a wide range of wound types. Examples include venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and surgical wounds. Improvements reported include reduced slough, reduced infection indicators, healthier periwound skin and faster healing. These outcomes match the clinical evidence from the broader evaluations.

11. Why is this dressing important for the New Zealand market?

Chronic wounds are increasing in New Zealand as our population ages and rates of diabetes rise. Many clinics are also dealing with higher consumable costs and pressure to deliver better outcomes with limited resources. ActivHeal PHMB Foam brings an effective, affordable and evidence based alternative to the local wound care market.

12. How can I try ActivHeal PHMB Foam in my practice?

Capes Medical is the exclusive supplier of ActivHeal in New Zealand. We offer a no obligation clinical evaluation for wound care teams, hospitals, GP practices, district nursing teams and aged care providers.
 

If you want to experience ActivHeal PHMB Foam in your practice, contact us to arrange an on-site evaluation and clinical support.