GPs
Ngā tākuta
GPs (general practitioners) are doctors who look after the health of people in the community. They work with people of all ages and have a broad range of medical knowledge on different health conditions.
They mostly work at general practices. But they also work in after-hours clinics, providing 24-hour medical care.
What GPs do
- Provide treatment when you are unwell.
- Provide treatment and health advice for long-term conditions.
- Treat injuries.
- Help with wellbeing and mental health conditions.
- Prescribe medicines and give injections.
- Perform minor surgery.
- Refer you to other health professionals when necessary and work with them to look after you.
- Give lifestyle advice to help keep you well.
Your GP can get to know you and your whānau (family) over time and help to look after your health needs.
GPs are part of the community medical team who work together to look after you and your family's wellbeing. Other members of the community medical team include dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, practice nurses, pharmacists and optometrists.
Finding a GP
For general practices currently taking new patients, phone Primary and Community Services on (03) 687‑2307.
To find the contact details and fee schedule for a general practice see Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury – General Practice.
Qualifications and training
Doctors in New Zealand must complete a 6-year medical degree. After graduation, they must work for another 2 years to gain further training in hospitals and the community.
GPs must also complete a 3-year training programme in general practice. After completing the training programme and exams, they gain the Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners qualification.
GPs from overseas must have an international postgraduate medical qualification in general practice that is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2024.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
Ministry of Health – Patient portals (https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/digital-health/other-digital-health-initiatives/patient-portals), retrieved July 2021.
New Zealand Telehealth forum and research centre. Retrieved April 2020.
NHS – Using online consultations In primary care. Retrieved April 2020.
Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners – What is general practice? (https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/RNZCGP/I_m_a_Patient/What_is_general_practice/RNZCGP/Im_a_patient/
What_is_general_practice.aspx), retrieved January 2017.
Image and embedded video sources
Image of a doctor greeting a female patient from Shutterstock (image ID 426626008). September 2023.
Image of a GP examining a child from Shutterstock (image ID 98508353). January 2017.
Image of a health professional giving a patient a virtual consultation from Shutterstock (image ID 589609640). April 2020.
Image of a man looking at a patient portal on a tablet (image ID 1667533894). November 2022.
Image of a nurse talking to a child and parent from Shutterstock (image ID 98521118) August 2016.
Image of a patient at a general practice from Shutterstock (image ID 1056498500). June 2022.
Image of an Asian doctor talking to a patient from hyena reality at FreeDigitalPhotos. November 2014.
Image showing how to take a photo for telehealth from Shutterstock (image IDs 550794373 and 748595458). May 2020.
Page reference: 1014154
Review key: HIGPS-132164