Compared to many countries, New Zealand has a very good public health system. You’ll have to pay for routine visits to the doctor or dentist, but there are subsidies for children and for people on lower incomes. The public health system provides for more expensive services such as hospital treatment. Find out what health care you’re entitled to as a New Zealand resident, the costs of medical treatment, and some important websites and telephone numbers:

Health services

Publicly funded health services include:

• Free public hospital treatment
• Free treatment at public hospital 24-hour accident and emergency (A&E) clinics
• Subsidies on prescription items
• Subsidised fees for visits by family members to general practitioners (GPs)
• Subsidised fees for visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths when referred by a GP
• Free or subsidised health care for those suffering from acute or chronic medical conditions
• No charge for most laboratory tests and x-rays, except at privately operated clinics
• No charge for health care during pregnancy and childbirth, unless provided by the private medical sector
• No charge for GP referrals to a public hospital for treatment
• Free prescription medicines for all public hospital patients
• Subsidies for children under six for visits to the doctor and for prescriptions
• Free basic dental care for all school children
• Free *** screening for women aged between 50 and 64.

Your first point of contact with the health system will probably be your GP (General Practitioner), also known as your family doctor. New Zealand has about 3,200 GPs. These are located in every city, suburb and town throughout the country. Local GPs are listed in the Telephone Book.

Where to find health services:General practitioners (family doctors), specialists, after hours and other medical centres are listed in the telephone directory under 'Registered Medical Practitioners & Medical Centres'.Public and private hospitals, residential care centres, after hours pharmacists, registered nurses and midwives, and specialist clinics are listed in the front section of telephone directory under 'Hospitals and other Health Service Providers'.Physiotherapists, dentists, chiropractors, osteopaths, opticians, pharmacists and natural therapists are listed under their respective sections in the Yellow Pages.

Service providersThere are many types of health provider offering a range of medical and health services – general practitioners, hospitals, and specialists.

Costs: The Government partly subsidises the cost of GP care for some patients, while others pay the full cost of $45 to $55 a visit. Visits to a GP on the weekend or at night usually cost $10 to $15 extra. The Government pays $35 of the fee for children under six; many doctors do not charge a fee on top of this, which means the visit costs you nothing. The subsidy for children aged 6-17 years is $15. If you are a beneficiary, or on a low income, you may be eligible for a Community Services Card. This entitles adults to a $15 and children over six to a $20 subsidy on GP visits. Similar subsidies are available with a High Use Health Card for people with conditions requiring frequent medical care.

General Practitioners:  Registration. Registering with a GP is free and easy. Simply provide the doctor's receptionist with your address, phone number, and the names and ages of your family. Also provide any medical records in English and details of any health problems.You can choose which GP to register with, even if that doctor is not in your suburb. So, if you would prefer to deal with a woman GP or a GP who shares your national or ethnic background, you are quite free to choose any doctor you wish. You are also free to change your GP at any time.Opening hours. Most GPs are open from 8:00am-6:00pm - these are known as surgery hours. Some practices are also open one or two evenings a week, and sometimes on Saturday mornings.Emergencies. In emergencies, most GPs will either provide an immediate appointment or make home visits - sometimes referred to as house calls - any time during the day or night. Medical examinations. You have the right to have a friend or support person with you during medical examinations. Women 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 conducted by the GP's Practice Nurse.

Hospitals:  New Zealand has 85 public hospitals, including some with specialised facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities. Free comprehensive service. With minor exceptions, such as some kinds of cosmetic surgery, hospital treatment is provided free of charge. Nobody can be refused emergency care because they cannot pay. If they are not a New Zealand resident, they may have to pay for some services. Waiting times for essential surgery vary from hospital to hospital. If your case is urgent, you will be put on an urgent waiting list. Interpreting services. Most of the bigger public hospitals have an interpreter service for patients whose first language is not English, but patients can use family members or friends as interpreters if they wish. Some areas offer an interpreter service free of charge. Ambulance service. Ambulances are provided by non-profit, community-based services in most parts of the country. Although they do not operate as businesses, they may make a part-charge, between $45 and $67.50, to help with running costs.
Specialists health services: Should you require specialist medical care, you will need a 'referral' from your GP. If you prefer a private specialist you (or your insurer) will be required to pay all fees.The public specialist health system is free, but timing for consultations and treatments is dependent on the status of your condition relative to other patients. Waiting times vary according to area and type of service.

Mother and child careIn New Zealand the care needed during pregnancy and childbirth is free. There are a range of health care services available for babies and children too.

Maternity care:  The care needed during pregnancy and childbirth is free. This covers everything from the diagnosis of pregnancy to pre- and post-natal care for mother and baby. You can choose to have your baby at home, although most babies are born in hospital. There is no charge for hospital stays, which generally last from two to five days. Women who have miscarriages are also cared for without charge. Approved abortions are free. Midwives: Most women are cared for throughout their pregnancy and at the birth by an independent midwife, though some women choose a local maternity hospital, or a GP who provides maternity care. If women need specialist care they can choose to be referred to a free hospital clinic or to a private specialist.Specialist care: Should your family doctor, or a midwife, refer you to specialist services within the public system, these will be provided free of charge.If you choose a private specialist for your maternity care, you will have to pay all fees. Further information is available from any GP or Midwifery Centre in The Telephone Book under 'Registered Medical Practitioners & Medical Centres'. A Maternity Helpline is also available, call toll free: 0800 686 223 (0800 MUM2BE). Family Planning: It is common for Family Planning Services to be provided by GPs before pregnancy and by midwives after the birth of the child. Most towns also have Family Planning Association clinics which provide advice to single and married people, regardless of whether they are parents or not. The Government helps with the costs of these services which are provided free of charge to people under 22 years and to holders of Community Services Cards.

Child health: Many health services for children are free. These include immunisation against serious diseases, regular school check-ups of eyesight and hearing, and visits to the doctor. Basic dental care is also free while children are at school.Well Child care service: Well Child is a free service designed to ensure that parents receive support in all aspects of their child's development. Assistance is provided through programmes on:

• Health Education and Health Promotion
• Health Protection and Clinical Assessment
• Family Care and Support

Information is available from GPs and local Medical Centres or Freephone: 0800 686 223     
 The Plunket Society provides free care for mothers and babies. This includes child health and development checks, and parenting advice. You can either arrange for home visits by a Plunket nurse, or visit one of the many clinics located throughout the country. Plunket also has a car seat rental service which provides safety restraints for babies and small children. The use of car seats and safety restraints for children and babies is compulsory by law.Freephone: 0800 933 922, 24-hours, seven days a week, or visit www.plunket.org.nz

Private health care Many New Zealanders have elected to take out private health insurance because it provides access to private hospitals for the immediate treatment of non-urgent conditions.The network of private hospitals and clinics provides a range of services that include recuperative care, elective procedures, general surgical procedures through to specialist procedures such as cardiothoracic operations. There are also private radiology clinics and testing laboratories.Several insurance companies offer a range of health policies - from basic care to fully comprehensive cover. Policy premiums vary widely.Even if you do have private health insurance, you are still entitled to free public health services.Health insurance companies are listed in the Yellow Pages under 'Insurance - Medical'.

Other health care

Dental care:  Routine dental checks are provided free for all children through school clinics. Free dental treatment is also available if requested.However, many families prefer dental work to be undertaken by a private dentist. The Government's Dental Benefits Scheme aims to cover the cost of this type of care for teenagers aged 13 to 18. But involvement in this subsidised scheme is voluntary and many dentists prefer not to participate. There are also restrictions on the types of dental care available. To obtain this free service you must register with a dentist who subscribes to the scheme. Cost: The cost of emergency dental care is subsidised for people on low incomes. Some public hospitals also have dental departments that provide low-cost services to outpatients.Except for the treatment of children under 18, dentists do not receive a government subsidy. Their charges vary widely and are generally higher than those charged by GPs. Dentists are listed in the Yellow Pages. Fluoridated water has been adopted as a standard dental health practice in most parts of New Zealand.

Personal help and mental care services: Generally, mental health care is provided by public hospitals, but some community-based services are also available.Private counselling services are also available but these are generally not subsidised and costs must be met in full. However, free counselling is available at most secondary schools and tertiary educational institutions.

Services for older people: Assistance is available for those aged 65 or over who need help at home or may need to move to a rest home or hospital. This is provided on the basis of a 'needs assessment'. Services include home support, caregiver services and 24-hour residential care. The level of government subsidy varies according to individual circumstances. For further information visit Work and Income or Freephone: 0800 559 009.

Prescriptions  GPs do not dispense medicines directly. However, they do provide written prescriptions or scripts (orders for medicine). These are dispensed by registered pharmacists. Usually your GP will direct you to a particular pharmacist, but you are also free to choose your own. There are plenty of outlets to choose from, since most of the bigger shopping centres include several retail pharmacies. Although you are free to present your prescription at any pharmacy, repeat prescriptions can be obtained only from the pharmacy that issued your first prescription. Otherwise, you will need to obtain a new prescription from your GP.

Standard costs: Adult New Zealanders pay between $3-$15 per prescription item for up to 20 items a year. If you or your family use more than 20 prescriptions, further items are free. Prescription medicine for children under six is free. Community Services Card and High Use Health Card holders pay only $3 per item for medicines. Some medicines are subsidised, which means the Government pays part of the cost. If there is a manufacturer's premium, this is also charged in all cases, even when the prescription is free or heavily subsidised. Non-subsidised items are available at full cost.

Non-prescription medicine: Pharmacists are trained to give advice on medicines and on some health problems. They can also sell medicines that do not need a prescription. Pharmacists do not usually charge for their advice.

After hours service: If you need urgent medicine outside normal shopping hours, go to an Urgent Pharmacy. These are open until 10:00pm or 11:00pm. You will find them listed under 'Urgent Pharmacies' in The Telephone Book.

Accident insurance All residents are covered by Government-run accident insurance. The scheme is managed by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and covers the full range of personal injuries. This includes injuries suffered at work, at home or during sports or other leisure activities. Claims may also be made for personal injury caused by a medical mistake or error, sexual assault or abuse, and some work-related conditions such as occupational overuse syndrome (OOS).In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured. Instead, ACC helps to pay for the cost of your care. All accident victims are entitled to free hospital treatment. ACC also subsidises all other types of treatment involving accident-related injuries, as long as the treatment is provided by registered health professionals. The patient usually pays a part-charge for the treatment. If your injury stops you from working, ACC pays weekly compensation, usually based on 80% of your weekly income before tax. It can also help with residential nursing care, home help and childcare, as well as subsidising transport and training costs while you recover. In some cases involving permanent physical impairment, compensation, or 'lump sum', financial payments are also made.

Patient rights and extra helpEverybody in New Zealand has certain rights when receiving health care. People on low incomes and with high needs may be eligible for additional services.

All patients have the right:

• To always be treated with respect
• To not be discriminated against, pressured or taken advantage of
• To services that promote dignified and independent lives
• To be treated with care and skill and receive correctly administered treatment
• To medical staff who listen to their patients and communicate clearly
• To an interpreter if required
• To a clear explanation of their medical condition and the types of treatment available
• To an honest description of the risks and costs as well as the benefits of a proposed treatment
• To ask and receive competent answers to all questions
• To make their own decisions
• To change their minds if they have already said "yes" or "no" to a course of treatment
• To refuse to participate in teaching or research
• To have a support person present at most times
• To register a complaint

These rights also apply to patients taking part in teaching or research.

Help for people on low incomes or with high health needs: Community Services Card: People on low incomes may be eligible for a Community Services Card, which entitles them to higher government subsidies on visits to their family doctor and the purchase of prescription items. High Use Health Card: This card is for individuals who visit their family doctor 12 times or more in a 12-month period for an ongoing illness. This card also accesses higher subsidies on visits to the family doctor and on pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card: If you or your family have paid for 20 prescription items from 1 February in a given year, you may be eligible for a Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card. This card can be obtained from your local chemist/pharmacy. For more information about the Community Services Card, Freephone: 0800 999 999. For more information about the High Use Health Card, Freephone: 0800 252 464.

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