Healthcare services wherever you are over summer

Father and his 3 young children walking to the sea on a beach.

Health New Zealand is reminding New Zealanders to be aware of the healthcare options available – with summer here and the holiday break now on our doorstep.

Many healthcare providers will be operating on reduced hours and with skeleton staff over the Christmas and New Year period, while others will be closed. Emergency Departments (ED) at hospitals throughout New Zealand will also often be very busy over the festive season.

You can call your regular general practice team 24/7 for care around the clock – wherever you are. A team of staff can tell you what to do and where to go if you need to be seen urgently. They are available to take your call any time of day or night – including on public holidays!

This will help keep EDs and urgent care clinics around the motu free for those really who need after-hours, urgent or emergency care.

Be sure to load your general practice’s number into your mobile phone before you head off on holiday.

You could organise an online or phone consultation with your GP or medical centre if it’s not an emergency.

Getting after-hours, urgent or emergency care over the summer

You can use the new Ka Ora tele-health service if you live in a rural area to have a phone or video consultation (0800 252 672). The service runs from 5pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and on public holidays.

You can seek care in person from an urgent care clinic. Christchurch has three options available:

  • The 24 Hour Surgery (401 Madras Street – near the corner with Bealey Avenue).
    Phone (+64) 3 365 7777.
  • Moorhouse Medical (3 Pilgrim Place)
    Phone (+64) 3 365 7900.
  • Riccarton Clinic (4 Yaldhurst Road)
    Phone (+64) 3 343 3661.

An after-hours GP service is available from Selwyn Village Healthcare (314 Selwyn Street, Spreydon) – from 6 to 11pm.

Call 111 in a life-threatening emergency.

Getting health advice 24/7

There are several FREE options you can call for advice:

  • Call Healthline (0800 611 116) – interpreter support is available. Māori clinicians are available from 8am to 8pm.
  • Call PlunketLine if you have unwell infants or children (0800 933 922).
  • Call the rural tele-health service (0800 2 KA ORA – 0800 252 672). The service runs from 5pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and on public holidays.

Your community pharmacy can also give health advice. They can also provide treatment for common conditions such as eye infections and inflammation, pain and fever, scabies, urinary tract infection, head lice, eczema or dermatitis, and minor skin infections – all without the need for a prescription from your GP.

Getting mental wellbeing advice 24/7

Helpline services offer support, information and help for you and your parents, family, whānau and friends. The services listed below are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

New Zealanders are also encouraged to be mindful that the holiday season can be a stressful and lonely time for some. Regularly checking in on neighbours, friends or whānau, or extending an invitation to share kai can be helpful ways to support your community over the summer.

Be prepared for the holidays

Make sure you’re well stocked with any over the counter and prescription medicines you need. Pharmacies outside the main centres may not carry some medicines, or have limited stock, so it is best to be prepared and take what you need with you. Make sure that you don’t run out on a public holiday – leaving you high and dry.

Most general practices will allow you to request repeat prescriptions online or over the phone. If you or a whānau member is running low on prescription medication, please contact your local GP or healthcare provider now if you need to book an appointment.

Make sure your family first aid kit is well stocked to treat minor health issues at home. This includes:

  • plasters and bandages;
  • antiseptic ointment;
  • paracetamol or ibuprofen – as well as children’s paracetamol;
  • medications for cough and cold symptoms;
  • insect repellent; and
  • anything else you think might be handy.


Source: Health NZ media release (10th December 2024).

Published on Friday, December 1st, 2023, under Uncategorised
Page last updated: 10/02/2025

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