[PaulandHelen]

Hi all, we are hoping to be in Welly by the end of Feb and we are currently trying to sort everything out!
Can anyone give us advice on how doctors and dentists work?
Do you pay as you go? do you need insurance? whats the health service like?
Any advice would be very welcome.
Cheers
P+H

[wilson182]

Dont know much about Dentist, I havent needed one yet (she quickly touches wood) In Christchurch, to visit our GP Costs $50. You can pay at the end of your visit, which is slightly cheaper, or pay later. I think the cost of the GP depends on the particular surgery you visit. The cost of a prescription is $15 per item, providing the drugs on your prescription are government subsidised (which I think most of them are). My husband has colitus, and his tablets are government subsidised, they cost $15 for three months supply. If they were not it would cost us $200 per month. Contraceptives are not free, you pay for your GP Visit, and mine cost around £30 for six months. You can get health insurance to cover GP visits, but its not complusory. If you are refered to the hospital by your GP you are covered by the public health and it is all free. As I said, my OH has colitus, and has been refered to a consultant. Our experience of this has been extremely good. They are very efficient and through, even picking up that the drugs he has been on in the UK for the past 10 years were not enough to completely keep the colitus at bay. If you have an accident, you are covered by ACC. Your hospital visit (if needed) will be free, and if you need any time off work ACC will pay 80% of your wages. You are also able to get a comunity health card if you are on a low income, and this will enable you to have cheaper doctors visits etc....
Hope this helps

[K&CS]

Hi Wilson

You kindly replied to a PM I sent you a few months ago when we were submitting our ITA. I suffer from colitis too and was worried about my medical (no problem at all as it happened - you said it wouldn't be). I was just interested to see what you said about your OH's consultant saying his current drugs were ineffective - was it Asacol he was taking in the UK? Anyway, I see you're in Christchurch too, which is where we're headed for, so it'll be very interesting to hear what they have to say to me when I get there - if they can prescribe something better, then I'm all for it! Also sounds like the drugs are pretty reasonable (I don't suppose you know if you get maternity excemption like in the UK - I had a baby 3 months ago and over here I'd be expemt until September).

Sorry to hijack the thread, Paul & Helen, but thanks for posting it because it's very useful!

Kate x

[Glenda]

I've just been to the dentist. There seems to be two types where we live - those that are completely private and those that charge adults but give free treatment to children. In our case, children are dealt with by the local primary school clinic and school dental nurse up to the age of 13. Over that age they have to go to a dentist but, providing you have the right dentist, you should not have to pay until they are 16 or 18.

I had a check up, x-rays and two fillings - $300.

:)

[Smiler]

I heard an advert on the radio today which says that the Gentle Dental centre in Wellington is offering check up and x ray for $45.00.


Seems reasonable to me, my last check up in UK must have been £20.00. I also like the fact they advertise their prices. ;)



Deborah