Medical help | Health Navigator NZ

There's a wide range of health services in New Zealand. Find out what you can do to manage at home and where you can get help for you or your whānau’s health and wellbeing.

On this page, you can find the the following information:

How to look after yourself at home.
Get advice or medicines from your local pharmacy.
Call Healthline for advice.
Contact you general practice team.
When it's urgent, your general practice is closed, but it's not an emergency.
When it's an emergency.
Helplines offering information and support.

As a result of the pandemic, and winter colds and flu, the health system is overloaded. When you or your whānau get sick, it's important to think about whether you really need to ask for medical help or if you can manage your symptoms at home. The information below will guide you on what to do for yourself and then who to contact if you decide you need help.

1. Look after yourself at home

For most minor illnesses and conditions there are lots of things you can do to manage your symptoms at home. Make sure you have a few basics, eg, pain killers, plasters and antiseptic cream on hand.

Remember to test for COVID-19 if you a fever (high temperature), cough, runny nose, sore throat or breathing problems. If you test positive, read more about what to do next.

Otherwise, we have information to guide you on how to look after yourself before asking for help. See our:

Winter illnesses topics for information about managing colds, coughs, sore throats and aches and pains.
Health A–Z section for information about specific health conditions
Medications section for advice about medicines
Healthy Living section for tips on exercise, mental health, managing long-term conditions and much more.

We also have a wide selection of videos and a growing app library.

2. Get advice or medicines from your local pharmacy

Your local pharmacy provides free on-the-spot advice about medicines and health concerns like coughs and colds and vaccinations. They also provide specific services, eg, treatment for urinary tract infections, blood glucose and blood pressure checks. Some pharmacies are open late and open 7 days a week. Read more about what pharmacists do or find a pharmacy near you.

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3. Call Healthline for advice

If you have a non-urgent concern or don’t know if your concern is urgent or not, call Healthline 0800 611 116 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for free health advice. The Healthline team includes registered nurses, paramedics and health advisors, who are specialists in assessing and advising over the phone on any health issue, no matter how small. Interpreters are available.

4. Contact your general practice team

Studies show we all do better when we enrol with a primary care provider (eg, a general practice team or nurse-led clinic) and have regular checks. Turning up with a long list of problems or only when you're really sick doesn't build the trusted relationship you need.

If you haven’t done so already, register with a doctor or nurse practitioner in your area, so you can have your own healthcare team. Other advantages of enrolling with a clinic are:

Lower cost care (and sometimes free care for high need areas).
Repeat scripts and phone or email advice.
The option of video and phone consults with a team who know you. Read more about telehealth.

Use this link to find a doctor or clinic near you.

5. When it's urgent, your general practice is closed, but it's not an emergency

If your family doctor is not available there are 2 main options. One is an online consultation (also known as telehealth or virtual consultation), and the other is an in-person consultation at your local Urgent Care Clinic (Accident and Medical), or after-hours clinic.

Telehealth or virtual consultation apps

An increasing number of conditions can be assessed and treated through a telehealth consultation with a doctor, nurse, psychologist or other healthcare provider. This can be done through your phone or computer. Read more about the available options for virtual consultations.

Urgent care and after-hours clinics

These clinics can provide urgent care for injuries or illnesses when you need to be seen in person or are likely to need an examination. Find an Urgent Care Clinic online or call your general practice who will have a recorded message or somebody to advise on what to do.

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

6. When it's an emergency

If it's an emergency, dial 111 (free) or go directly to your closest Emergency Department. Emergencies include anything that is life threatening, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains or uncontrolled bleeding, or when you have severe pain or other trauma. Find an emergency department. Treatment at the hospital is free, but if you go in an ambulance you will probably be charged for it. If you need one often it's a good idea to get a St John subscription.

7. Helplines offering information and support

1737, Need to talk? - free call or text 24 hours, 7 days to connect with a mental health & addictions counsellor. Phone or text: 1737
0508 TAUTOKO (82 88 65) Suicide Crisis Helpline
Alcohol Drug Helpline - 24 hours, 7 days. Ph 0800 787 797
Lifeline - Ph 0800 543 354
Depression Helpline - Ph 0800 111 757
Youthline - free txt 234. Ph 0800 376 633
Plunketline – 0800 933 922
Family Violence Information Line - 0800 456 450