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You may be able to access free or subsidised health and disability services if you meet the following criteria: a NZ citizen or permanent resident or an Australian citizen or permanent resident who’s lived, or intends to live, in NZ for at least 2 years or a work visa holder...

Our community health services were quite fragmented in the past, with GP services scattered around the community. In order to create a more integrated service, meet increasing demand, manage resources well and to utilise new innovation and technology then things needed to be done differently. Over recent years many health...

You can go to a public hospital if you are seriously unwell, and it is an emergency. For all other times you need to be referred by a health professional, usually your doctor. If it’s an emergency phone 111 and ask for an ambulance. If you’re near the hospital and...

There have been a number of significant health system changes in New Zealand Aotearoa since 2022 (e.g., the establishment of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and related agencies by the then Labour Government). The General Election of late 2023 saw a National, ACT and New Zealand Coalition Government...

ACC is a no faults injury scheme in which ACC may pay for costs related to your injury. Following an injury it is important to speak to your health professional about making an application to register the injury with ACC. ACC will then decide whether to accept the claim. You...

In recent years, significant changes were made to the way health services are delivered throughout New Zealand. Previously 20 regional District Health Boards (DHBs) provide or organise health services across the country. As of mid-2022: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora manages all health services, including hospital and specialist...

Opinions vary as to how often you should have these but once a year is a common standard for older people. Those who keep well are obviously not going to need to see their health advisor as often as someone who has more complex health needs, so the first step...

All health professionals want you to have as positive an experience from your contact with them as possible. People who are informed about their health conditions and who are involved in decision making are more likely to comply with a health plan or regime and are also more satisfied with...

A patient portal allows you to see your own health information. It is accessed via a secure website. While not yet available at all practices you can enquire about it. You can generally join up via your health care providers website or enquire about it when you next visit. It...

Shared goals of care in New Zealand refer to a collaborative approach between people, healthcare professionals, and family/whānau, which aims to align their goals and expectations for a person's treatment and care. Shared goals of care outline how providers should approach discussions of care with adults and their whānau. They...

Evidence shows that we are the people we are, due to a range of factors including our genes, the environment and circumstances that have impacted on us over our lifetime. The video Social Determinants of Health helps us understand some of these factors.

Personalized, precision or functional medicine is a developing area of medicine where information about your genetic makeup helps inform your health professional about what’s required to keep you healthy and, if you are unwell, then what treatments and interventions might be most successful for you. It may also determine how...