Doctors
Your first point of contact in the New Zealand health system will probably be your GP (general practitioner), also known as your family doctor. New Zealand has about 3,200 GPs located in almost every city, suburb and town throughout the country. You can find the GP nearest you by looking up ‘Registered medical practitioners & medical centres’ in the front of the White Pages. You can also search a register on the Medical Council website.
Registration
It’s important to find and register with a GP as soon as you can after you arrive in the country. Registering is free and easy. Simply tell the doctor’s receptionist your address, phone number, and the names and ages of your family. You can choose which GP to register with, and your doctor does not have to be in your suburb. If you would prefer a female GP, for example, or a GP who shares your national or ethnic background, you can choose a doctor you are comfortable with. You are also free to change your GP at any time.
You will probably pay less as a patient if you register with a public health organisation (PHO). This is because PHOs receive government funding on the basis of need, with poorer areas attracting the largest subsidies. Most GPs belong to PHOs and when you register with a GP you will usually be enrolled as a member of the PHO at the same time.
If your GP is not a member of a PHO, you can transfer to one who is. You can only enrol in one PHO at a time.
It can sometimes take about three months after submitting an application to a PHO to receive lower priced care. It is advisable therefore to join a medical practice and enrol with a PHO sooner rather than later. Bring along your passport and permit.
Opening hours
Most GPs are open during what are known as “surgery hours”. These are generally 8:00am-6:00pm. Some practices are also open one or two evenings a week, and sometimes on Saturday mornings.
The government does not fund the public health system generously enough to allow most hospital treatments, other than accident/emergency care, to be carried out immediately. Waiting times for surgery vary from hospital to hospital.
Emergencies
Should you have an emergency, most GPs will let you make an immediate appointment or they will make home visits. Depending on what has happened, they may also recommend that you go directly to the hospital.
Medical examinations
You have the right to have a friend or support person with you during a medical examination. Female patients may also request that a female nurse or other female staff member be present during examinations by a male nurse or doctor. Routine services such as cervical screening, blood pressure checks, and immunisation are often carried out by the GP’s Practice Nurse.
Costs
The Government partly subsidises the cost of GP visits for patients aged under 18 and those aged 45 and over. Everyone else pays the full cost of treatment, but costs vary from area to area. There is an additional charge for house calls as well as visits to a GP on the weekend or at night. Lower charges may apply if you have a Community Services Card or High Use Health Card.
Further information
www.hdc.org.nz – the Health and Disability Commissioner is an independent agency dealing with patient rights.
www.healthed.govt.nz offers easy access to popular brochures on health matters.
www.health.govt.nz – the Ministry of Health website offers information about all areas of the public health system. It includes links to District Health Board websites where you can find out more the services available in your area.
