Low Cost GPs
Primary Care for Patients
Primary care refers to the first contact a patient has with the health care system, before being referred elsewhere. Health professionals who provide core primary health care include GPs, pharmacists and nurses who visit patients in the community.
Primary health care covers a range of out-of-hospital services and aims to improve the health of the people in the community. Services include health education, disease prevention and screening, oral health, general wellness, and diagnosis and treatment of health problems.
Primary Health Organisations
Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) ensure the provision of essential primary health care services, mostly through general practices, to people who are enrolled with the PHO.
In Taranaki our Primary Health Organisation is Pinnacle Midlands health Network. Pinnacle Midlands Health Network consists of more than 100 medical centres throughout Waikato, Taranaki, Gisborne, Taupo and Turangi. www.pinnacle.co.nz
Find a medical centre near you www.pinnacle.co.nz/practices
Navigating the Health System
www.healthnavigator.org.nz
www.healthpoint.co.nz
After Hours
- Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 Healthline is a free, 24-hour-a-day telephone advice health advice service which now includes the Well Child telephone advice service.
- Visit your pharmacy or a physiotherapist for advice.
- Book an appointment with your GP. Children under 13 are free and there are low cost GP practices in New Plymouth, Stratford, Opunake, Hawera and Patea.
- If your GP is busy, or it’s the weekend you can visit MediCross or Phoenix in New Plymouth (charges apply).
- Medicross and Phoenix offer x-ray services and can treat sprained or suspected broken bones (charges apply).
- It is very important that people experiencing a genuine emergency call 111 for an ambulance or go to ED.
- IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 111
Last updated: Tuesday, November 1, 2022