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Family DoctorTo find a doctor in your local area refer to the White Pages of the phone book under the section for Registered Medical Practitioners and Medical Centres. You are free to register with a doctor of your choice.
If you decide to change your doctor, it is important to tell your new doctor about previous registration, so your medical files can be transferred to your new doctor.
WHEN AND HOW TO ENROL You need not wait until you are sick or require treatment. Every three years your doctor or practice group will ask you to confirm that you still want them to be your doctor or primary health provider.
To enrol you need to go into a GP/family doctor practice or primary health provider clinic and fill in an enrolment form.
COMMUNITY SERVICES CARD (CSC) Permanent residents who are on a low to middle income may be eligible for a Community Services Card from Work and Income to help with the cost of prescriptions and doctors’ fees. Call free phone 0800 999 999 to see if you are eligible.
HIGH USER HEALTH CARD (HUHC) People who visit their doctor 12 times or more in 12 months (face-to-face visits) because of continuing health problems and who do not have a Community Services Card, can apply for a High User Health Card. It gives the cardholder a higher subsidy on visits to the doctor and on prescription charges.
If you think you have made 12 visits in the last 12 months, ask your doctor to check your records.
For regular health and medical care it is advisable to find a GP (General Practitioner or doctor) after your arrival.
PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSIDY CARD (PSC) This card allows the cardholder and named family members to pay a lower amount on government prescription charges. The purpose of the card is to help people who face high prescription costs but who do not have a CSC or a HUHC. A pharmacist can issue a PSC to you.
HospitalsACCIDENT AND SUDDEN SICKNESS In the case of a sudden sickness or serious accident, you can visit:
For local Registered Medical Practitioners look in the green section of the white pages.
You can call the Ambulance Service by ringing 111
PregnancyOnce you know you are pregnant, you need to choose a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) who will support your choices.
Your LMC can be a Midwife, a General Practitioner (Doctor) or a Specialist Obstetrician.
All maternity care is free. Once you have registered with an LMC, your LMC is responsible for your maternity care throughout your pregnancy and until four to six weeks after the birth of your baby, when your baby's care will be transferred to your chosen Well Child provider.
Well ChildcareYour baby and preschoolers have the right to free Well Child Care. Well Child Care is different from the medical care you receive when your child is ill. Talk to your Doctor or Lead Maternity Carer (if you are pregnant) about who provides Well Child services locally. Some examples of Well Child providers are Plunket, and some Maori Health Providers.
CounsellingThere are a range of counselling services available if you are under emotional stress. Look under 'Personal Help Services' in the front of the White Pages.
