Primary Health Care

Primary health care refers to the professional health care received in the community. A primary health care professional is usually your first point of contact into the health system for advice and treatment.

This is most often your GP (family doctor), practice nurse, Pacific Island health clinic, Maori health service, after hours clinic or Healthline. Other primary health care professionals include pharmacists, midwives, dentists, family planning services and optometrists (eye care).

Primary health care professionals help you to keep well through a range of health and preventative services including health education, disease prevention and screening. By seeing a primary health care professional regularly, they can also help identify health issues early on, provide treatment and support you in managing your health condition.

In an emergency:

In am emergency medical situation, call an ambulance on 111.

Healthline:

If you are unsure whether you need to see a doctor or nurse, you can call Healthline 0800 611 116.

This is a free, 24-hour New Zealand telephone health advice service, provided by registered nurses.

Healthline also incorporates the WellChild line, which provides advice on child behaviour, child development and parenting support in relation to children under five years of age.