Health services
EMERGENCIES
For life threatening health emergencies free phone 111 for an ambulance.
Ka ora Telecare is a service provided to people living in rural areas, like Ashburton, and it connects you with a health care professional for afterhours medical advice and treatment. It is available from 5pm to 8 am on weekdays and 24 hours in weekends and public holidays. You can call 0800 252 672, talk to a nurse or schedule an appointment online through their website www.kaora.co.nz or by phone. Find out more information about prices on their website.
For non-life threatening or after-hours health situations phone your local (General Practice, or GP) or you can phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak to a registered nurse.
If you are a visa holder and it allows you to stay in New Zealand for two or more years, you are eligible to enrol with a medical centre. If this is not your case, you will have to pay full price when using health services.
This is an important step in your relocation process. We recommend taking care of it as soon as possible.
For regular health and medical care, it is a good idea to register the whole family with a general practice. The doctor is also known as a general practitioner, or GP. Most general practices are part of a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) which allows patients to receive cheaper doctor’s visits and reduced costs of prescription medicines. You can ask your local general practice if they are part of a PHO. Children under the age of 14 years can visit the doctor for free.
In Ashburton town, we have five clinics, one in Methven and one Rakaia. To get support enrolling with a GP, contact the clinic directly or ask for help from the Hakatere Multi Cultural Council
Ashburton Hospital provides secondary level emergency, which means when you need urgent care after hours. They also offer general surgical and maternity services with a range of inpatient, day patient, outpatient and community health services. Tertiary level care or emergency services are provided by Christchurch or Timaru hospitals.
The Ashburton Hospital is located on 28 Elizabeth Street and their phone number is 03 307 8450.
- In a medical emergency, call 111 and ask for "Ambulance".
- Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you are unsure.
- For the hearing or speech impaired, you can register for 111 TXT.
When you call 111 you will speak to a professional who will make sure you or the person you are calling for receives the right care at the right time.
What to do when your 111 call is answered
1. Ask for Ambulance. Say which service you need – Police, Fire or Ambulance. Ask for Ambulance. Your call will then be transferred to them.
2. Give the address of the emergency. Tell the call handler exactly where the emergency is taking place. Give as much information as you can including the house number and street name, or the name of the business.
3. Give the phone number you are calling from. They will ask you to give the phone number you are calling from; in case they need to call you back.
4. Describe what has happened. Tell the call handler what has happened. They will ask you questions like “Are you with the patient?” “How old is the patient?” “Is the patient awake?” “Is the patient breathing?”.
5. Listen to what to do next. While you talk to the call handler, someone called a ‘dispatcher’ will be arranging help. The call handler will tell you what to do next. If necessary, they will stay on the line to help you until an ambulance or other help arrives.
6. Stay on the call. Do not hang up the call until the call handler tells you to. They will make sure that you have the help you need first.
Hato Hone St John has Stations in Mayfield, Methven & Ashburton containing Ambulances that are manned by both Volunteers & Paid staff.
For non-emergency general inquiries regarding Hato Hone - St John, visit the Hato Hone St John website https://www.stjohn.org.nz/ or call 0800 785 646
Their local office at 241 Tancred Street - Ashburton is open from 9am - 2pm Monday - Friday (except public holidays) Phone 03 307 4221
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides personal injury cover for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand.
This means that if you have an accident or injure yourself, the cost of visiting a doctor may be partially covered by the government.
To make a claim to ACC, you need to be treated by a doctor, physiotherapist, or emergency provider and they will help you fill in the right form to register your claim.
Dental care is free for people under 18 years of age. Children have to be citizens, permanent residents or have a parent or primary caregiver on a 2-year work visa (consecutive), to be eligible for free dental care.
Call 0800 Talk Teeth (0800 825 583) for help with:
- enrolling your child into the free dental care programme and
- finding a dentist near you who has a contract with Te Whatu Ora (if your child is past primary school age).
If you are over 18 years of age you will need to pay for dental care.
New Zealand citizens and residents on low or moderate incomes may qualify for a ‘Community Services Card’ which makes doctors’ visits cheaper. www.workandincome.govt.nz
Maternity care is provided at no cost to New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with a two-year work permit. Specialist maternity care is also available free of charge unless the woman opts for a private obstetrician.
Visitors and individuals on work visas permitting a stay of less than two years are required to cover the full costs of pregnancy, labour, and birth care.
Refer to the New Zealand Government website to find out more.
If your GP says there will be a charge for the maternity care he/she provides, ask them to refer you to one that does not charge, or contact the 0800 MUM 2BE number (0800 686 223) for a list of Lead Maternity Carers in your area.
Other resources:
Families with children under five can access nationwide support from Whānau Āwhina Plunket for their health and well-being.
Plunket offers the following services:
- Free Plunket nurse appointments at home, virtually, or at their clinics.
- Free 24/7 advice and support on PlunketLine at 0800 933 922, where you can speak with a nurse.
- Additional support from health workers to help connect families with other needed community services.
- A variety of playgroups and community activities to keep families connected.
Contact them at 0800 933 922, follow their Facebook page or visit them in Community House (44 Cass Street, Ashburton).
