HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Getting medical help if you are new to Canterbury
Ka tikina i ngā āwhina hauora i tōu taenga mai ki Waitaha
If you are new to Canterbury, you should enrol with a general practice. Unless it is an emergency, your general practice team should be your first point of contact for health advice or care.
When you enrol, you should give permission for your notes to be transferred from your previous general practice. You will need to complete and sign a form that includes personal details such as your name, age, date of birth, address and ethnicity. The privacy of your information is protected by the Privacy Act and the Health Information Privacy Code.
Often the first appointment at a new practice is more expensive, but you may be able to get help with this if it is an issue. Discuss this with the practice.
You are eligible to enrol if you are a New Zealand, Cook Island, Niue or Tokelau citizen. You can also enrol if you are entitled to stay in New Zealand for 2 years or more – with a work visa for example.
Eligibility for publicly funded health services has information about your eligibility for free or subsidised healthcare.
By enrolling, you and your family will:
- pay less for your health care
- get cheaper prescriptions
- have access to expert advice and check-ups
- have ongoing vaccination and health screening check reminders.
If you are new to New Zealand, the Ministry of Health website describes how the New Zealand healthcare system works.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2024.
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Review key: HISNY-105442
