Caroline and Dave
23rd July 2007, 06:17 AM
I have decided to put the background on health in its own thread, as there is a fair amount of information and to give people a better chance of seeing it. I apologise if I have left any bits out . Please feel free to add any info. Use the links to attain more knowledge on certain things.
G.P. Services
When you arrive in New Zealand you will need to find a local G.P. ( General Practitioner)
This is more urgent if you need regular medication or have young children. The general standard of G.P. services in NZ is very good, but still,one of the best ways of finding a good G.P. is by reccommendation. Even though you are new to the area,New Zealanders are friendly people and will put you in the right direction to finding a good G.P. So don't be afraid to ask someone.
You will also find G.P's listed in the front of the phone directory (white pages)
under registered practitioners. www.whitepages.co.nz
Registering is free,you need to provide the doctors receptionist with your NZ address,phone number and the names and ages of your family. They will also want to see your passport with your visa in it. Without the visa they will charge you a dearer fee. Provide them with any medical records you have brought over with you and give them any details of any health problems.
As regards medical records from your previous country,it is best to obtain medical records from your previous G.P. before you come over to New Zealand, as once you are here it can be very difficult obtaining those records.
For those of you without a serious medical history it is not vital that you bring records, but certainly,those with an ongoing medical history it is well worth bringing them over. It is a good idea to bring your copy prescription slips over as well for those who need repeat prescriptions.
Most G.P' surgerys are open from 8am till 6pm. Some practices are open on some evenings and Saturday mornings.
Most G.P's will invite you in for an initial consultation so that they have a good idea of your medical background. This is a good time to find out certain important things such as
A) Find out what after hours services are available
B)Not all prescription drugs that you are on may be available in NZ.Most of them are or a very similar alternative. They will be able to provide you with a suitable alternative . Some drugs may be available but you may have to pay extra for these.
C)Find out if you are fully up to date on imunisations. It is a good idea to bring your imunisation card over with you.
D)Find out if you are elegible for any other services such as cervical smears, breast screening or flu jabs.
During medical examinations you have the right to have a relative or friend with you. In the case of women patient examinations with a male doctor, you can request that a female nurse or member of staff is present.
Routine checks such as blood pressure and immunisation are carried out by the practice nurse.
There is generally a charge for seeing the G.P. These charges can vary depending on the area but as a guide these are
25- 44 years old $20-$65 per visit
45 and over $20-$35 per visit
6-24 years old $10-$25 per visit
Children under 6 Usually free
Visits to a G.P at night or weekends can cost more. There is usually an extra charge for home visits of $10 - $25.
Prescription Charges
These are usually free for under 6 years old. They are subsidised for everyone else.
Adult New Zealanders pay between $3 - $15 per prescription for up to 20 items per year. If you use more than 20 items per year,further itwems are free.
People who are on a low income may be elegible for a Comunity Services Card. This allows them higher subsidies on GP visits and prescription charges.
You can also get the high use health card if you require frequent visits to the GP or numerous prescription requests.
These cards are available if you visit the GP more than 12 times in a 12 month period. Check here www.everybody.co.nz
Sometimes a GP may reccomend a medication that is not fully subsidised. Do enquire costs at different pharmacies as the price can and does vary. If you need a prescription out of hours ,certain chemists are open until 10 or 11 pm. These can be found in the whiote pages under urgent pharmacies.
Right, time for a break now. There is more to follow
G.P. Services
When you arrive in New Zealand you will need to find a local G.P. ( General Practitioner)
This is more urgent if you need regular medication or have young children. The general standard of G.P. services in NZ is very good, but still,one of the best ways of finding a good G.P. is by reccommendation. Even though you are new to the area,New Zealanders are friendly people and will put you in the right direction to finding a good G.P. So don't be afraid to ask someone.
You will also find G.P's listed in the front of the phone directory (white pages)
under registered practitioners. www.whitepages.co.nz
Registering is free,you need to provide the doctors receptionist with your NZ address,phone number and the names and ages of your family. They will also want to see your passport with your visa in it. Without the visa they will charge you a dearer fee. Provide them with any medical records you have brought over with you and give them any details of any health problems.
As regards medical records from your previous country,it is best to obtain medical records from your previous G.P. before you come over to New Zealand, as once you are here it can be very difficult obtaining those records.
For those of you without a serious medical history it is not vital that you bring records, but certainly,those with an ongoing medical history it is well worth bringing them over. It is a good idea to bring your copy prescription slips over as well for those who need repeat prescriptions.
Most G.P' surgerys are open from 8am till 6pm. Some practices are open on some evenings and Saturday mornings.
Most G.P's will invite you in for an initial consultation so that they have a good idea of your medical background. This is a good time to find out certain important things such as
A) Find out what after hours services are available
B)Not all prescription drugs that you are on may be available in NZ.Most of them are or a very similar alternative. They will be able to provide you with a suitable alternative . Some drugs may be available but you may have to pay extra for these.
C)Find out if you are fully up to date on imunisations. It is a good idea to bring your imunisation card over with you.
D)Find out if you are elegible for any other services such as cervical smears, breast screening or flu jabs.
During medical examinations you have the right to have a relative or friend with you. In the case of women patient examinations with a male doctor, you can request that a female nurse or member of staff is present.
Routine checks such as blood pressure and immunisation are carried out by the practice nurse.
There is generally a charge for seeing the G.P. These charges can vary depending on the area but as a guide these are
25- 44 years old $20-$65 per visit
45 and over $20-$35 per visit
6-24 years old $10-$25 per visit
Children under 6 Usually free
Visits to a G.P at night or weekends can cost more. There is usually an extra charge for home visits of $10 - $25.
Prescription Charges
These are usually free for under 6 years old. They are subsidised for everyone else.
Adult New Zealanders pay between $3 - $15 per prescription for up to 20 items per year. If you use more than 20 items per year,further itwems are free.
People who are on a low income may be elegible for a Comunity Services Card. This allows them higher subsidies on GP visits and prescription charges.
You can also get the high use health card if you require frequent visits to the GP or numerous prescription requests.
These cards are available if you visit the GP more than 12 times in a 12 month period. Check here www.everybody.co.nz
Sometimes a GP may reccomend a medication that is not fully subsidised. Do enquire costs at different pharmacies as the price can and does vary. If you need a prescription out of hours ,certain chemists are open until 10 or 11 pm. These can be found in the whiote pages under urgent pharmacies.
Right, time for a break now. There is more to follow