New Zealand (NZ)

General practice is the front door for most non-emergency healthcare. You choose a practice, but many have closed books. Enrolled patients generally pay lower fees than casual patients. GPs manage referrals, prescriptions, certificates, chronic disease monitoring, contraception, mental health plans, and screening reminders.

Public specialists usually require GP referral and triage. Acceptance depends on clinical priority and local capacity; some referrals are declined with advice back to the GP. Private specialists may also require GP referral but can be faster if you can pay or have insurance.

Call 111 for life-threatening emergencies or go to an emergency department. Ambulance services may involve charges or donations depending provider, membership, and region, though serious emergency care is the priority.

Use Healthline 0800 611 116 for free nurse advice. After-hours clinics and urgent-care centres exist in cities but can be expensive for ineligible or casual patients. Rural areas may rely on on-call arrangements.

Doctors, nurse practitioners, and some other prescribers issue prescriptions. PHARMAC decides funded medicines. If a medicine is not funded or you are not eligible, costs can be high. Bring generic names and letters for existing medicines.

Children and adolescents up to age 18 have free basic oral health care. Adults usually pay privately for check-ups, fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, and emergency dental care. ACC may cover dental injury from accidents, but not ordinary decay.

Start with a GP, 1737, crisis services, or emergency care depending severity. Public specialist mental health is triaged and can have thresholds. Private psychologists/counsellors are common but costly; employer EAPs can help.

Eligible pregnant people usually choose a Lead Maternity Carer, often a midwife. Publicly funded maternity care covers antenatal, birth, and postnatal care for eligible people. Private obstetric care is available at extra cost.