Public health: doctors, specialists and hospitals

General Practitioners –  your family doctor

Your first point of contact for healthcare in New Zealand will probably be a General Practitioner (GP). There is a GP located in almost every suburb or every city, and in most towns throughout the country.

You can choose which GP you want to see, and generally they become your family doctor. You are also free to change your GP at any time. This freedom of choice means if you prefer to deal with a female GP, or one who shares your national or ethnic background, you can do so, even if they are not the closest GP to your home.

Once you’ve decided on a GP, you can register with their practice. It’s easy. You simply provide your address, phone number, and the names and ages of your family. If your doctor belongs to a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) – and most do -  you’ll probably receive reduced charges. PHOs receive government funding to subsidise healthcare in their area.

• Costs
  The cost of visiting your GP is also subsidised by the Government for patients under the age of 18 and for those aged 45 and over. Others pay the full cost for a visit and this can range from $10.50 to $65, although in most cases it’s usually around the $65 range.
  In emergencies, most GPs will either provide an immediate appointment or many will make a home visit for which there would be an additional charge of around $25.
   
• Hours
  Most GPs are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Some are also open one or two evenings a week and sometimes on Saturday mornings.
  Outside those hours you can either go to the Accident and Emergency Clinic of the nearest hospital for emergency treatment. Or, for general treatment, there are a number of private medical centres that offer accident and urgent services at night or on the weekend.
  In most cases, you’ll be able to see a doctor on the same day you call for an appointment or within a day or two.
   

Specialists

If you need to see a specialist, your GP will provide you with a ‘referral’ for a consultation or treatment. You may be put on a waiting list for specialist treatment, and the length of time you’ll have to wait will vary depending on the availability and demand for particular specialist services in your area.
If you don’t want to wait, you can go to a private specialist.

• Costs
  Under the public health system, specialist treatment or consultations are also free of charge.  However, if you visit a private specialist, you or your health insurere will have to pay all the fees for the treatment.

Hospitals

New Zealand’s 40 public hospitals are located in the main cities and regional centres throughout the country.

It’s important to note that there may be waiting lists for some services and surgery at public hospitals. If your case is urgent, you’ll be put on an urgent waiting list. But if you don’t want to wait, you can choose to use private services which are paid for by you or your health insurer.

• Costs
  With minor exceptions, such as some kinds of cosmetic surgery, hospital treatment is provided free of charge. And nobody can be refused emergency care because they can’t pay.
  However, people who aren’t New Zealand residents may have to pay for some services. If you’re not eligible when you first come to New Zealand, you would be well advised to take out medical insurance until you are eligible for pubic health care.

Ambulance services

Ambulances are provided by non-profit community-based services. And by the way, you won’t need to know this yet but you might be interested to know the number to call for emergency services in New Zealand (ambulance, police, fire) is 111.

• Costs
  In some regions, services are free. In others there may be a part-charge – at most around $70 - for emergency call outs.