Find the right care for you

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For additional information on the New Zealand health system in other languages visit Your Local Doctor.

Your family doctor plays an important role in keeping your family healthy. Usually they're the first place you should go for non-urgent health concerns including stubborn coughs, colds, and pain management. They also provide treatment for long-term conditions and illnesses. You can call them for health advice and to make an appointment to be seen. 

If you can’t get in touch with your doctor or aren’t sure where to go contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free health advice. If English isn’t your first language there are interpreters who can help.

The Hospital Emergency Department is for life-threatening conditions. If it’s an emergency, don’t hesitate - call 111 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. 

Healthline is here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. Healthline nurses are specialists in assessing and advising over the phone.

Phone calls are free from within New Zealand – this includes calls from a mobile phone.

Visit the Ministry of Health for information about Healthline.

If your child is unwell, it's always best to seek medical attention sooner, rather than later. Don't wait to see if their condition gets worse. If you are not sure whether to take them to hospital you can visit your GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak with a nurse. In an emergency always call 111.

You can find a family doctor (and see their prices) on Healthpoint. You can enter your address or browse by suburb to find one near you.

To seek immediate health advice, contact your family doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak to an experienced nurse, 24/7. They can assess you over the phone and advise you on what to do. If English isn’t your first language, there are interpreters who can help.

Visit the Ministry of Health for more information.

If you need urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries but your doctor’s office is closed you can visit your nearest Accident and Medical (A&M) clinic. No appointment is necessary.

To learn more about the fees charged by a particular clinic, visit their page on Healthpoint.

You can also contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

Family doctor/GP

Doctors’ practices and medical centres are privately owned and set their own fees. The cost of a visit will be lower if you’re enrolled with the GP, because the government subsidises the fee. Some general practices join a ‘low cost access’ programme run by their primary health organisation. This means they get extra government funding to keep their fees at low levels. 

There is generally a reduced rate for anyone under 18 or over 65. Some things like immunisations for children are free, and children under 13 are eligible for free general practice visits (both during the day and after-hours). 

To learn more about the fees charged by a particular practice, search for that practice on Healthpoint.

To learn more about enrolling with a GP and government programmes and services that may be available to you, visit the Ministry of Health.

A&M clinic

After-hours care usually costs more.  You may be able to enrol with some accident and medical, or after-hours clinics. The cost of a visit will be lower if you’re enrolled. To be sure, always check with the clinic.

To learn more about the fees charged by a particular A&M clinic, visit their page on Healthpoint.

If you need urgent hospital-based care, you will still receive the treatment you need, and the same high level of care from our clinicians.

However, if you arrive at our ED with less critical illnesses or injuries you are likely to experience a long wait. Please be patient and understand that we take your care seriously, but must treat people with urgent illnesses first. We will also be discharging patients as soon as they are well enough to go home, in order to free up hospital bed space.

We’re taking these steps to ensure our specialised hospital services are available to you, your friends, whanau and community when you have a serious illness or injury.

To find out if you are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services, the eligibility criteria and what you need to prove your eligibility, visit the Ministry of Health.