Regular health and medical care:
Find a GP
Your first point of contact with the health system will be your GP (General Practitioner), also known as your family doctor.
- First step would be to enrol or register with a GP. When looking for a GP, you may want to ask your friends which GP they recommend and check out whether their service suits your needs. To find a GP in your area you can check the front pages of the White Pages of your phone book. under Registered Medical Practitioners & Medical Centres. Or you can also ask Citizens Advice Bureau Phone 03 366 6490 on how to contact them.
- You are free to register with a GP of your choice. You do not need to change your GP if you move to a different are in Christchruch. If you decide to change your GP, it is important to tell your new doctor about your previous enrolment, so your medical files can be transferred.
- GPs can set their own fees and provide different services from other GPs.
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General practitioners can connect you to a range of health services relevant to your needs, provided through general practice by Partnership Health Canterbury PHO and Pegasus Health. Contact details and summarised information on health related services.
- If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for a Community Services Card (CSC), which will make doctor’s visits less expensive. Your doctor or practice nurse can tell you if you qualify, or you can call Work and Income on freephone 0800 999 999.
- Children under 6 years can visit the doctor for free.
- If your condition requires hospital care a GP can give you a letter of referral to see a specialist (either in a public hospital or private clinic).
- You may also choose to have private health insurance to meet some or all of your medical costs. See yellow pages for a list of insurance companies in Christchurch.
