Most New Zealanders have a family doctor, or general practitioner (GP), who is their main source of health advice and assistance. GPs can examine, diagnose and write prescriptions for a wide range of medical needs.

If required, GPs will refer you to another healthcare provider or medical specialist. They can also refer you directly to hospital for treatment, if needed. One of the first things you should do on arrival in Wellington is find a GP for you and your family.

Choosing a Doctor

Your GP will most often have a clinic close to your home or work, but you are not obliged to choose a local doctor. A good way to find a GP is by listening to the experiences and recommendations of friends, workmates and others.

A full list of registered doctors can be found on the website of the New Zealand Medical Council.

Alternatively, consult the list of medical practitioners in the white pages of the telephone directory.

If you are unhappy with the GP you are seeing, you are free to go somewhere else. Your new doctor will arrange transfer of your medical files.

• Medical Council website
• Healthpages website

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Primary Health Organisations

Many GP services are subsidised by the government through a system called primary health funding. Most doctors in the Wellington region are members of a Primary Health Organisation (PHO). Filling in an enrolment form at the medical clinic that your doctor belongs to will automatically entitle you to the full range of subsidies available through the PHO.

Primary Care - Capital & Coast District Health Board website

Cost of a Doctor Visit

GPs set their own rates. You can find current GP fees on District Health Board websites. Some GPs don't charge for under six-year-olds; others might charge a small fee.

Doctors' fees in Wellington are also affected by the different PHO subsidies available to different socioeconomic groups.

• GP fees for PHOs - Capital Coast District Health Board website

Specialist Medical Care

GPs will sometimes refer you to a medical specialist for treatment, and you will need this referral from your GP to get an appointment with a specialist.

If you wish to access this specialist advice through the public health system, it is free but you may go on a waiting list. The wait may be several months or more. If you wish to access specialist advice quickly, you (or your medical insurer if you have private health insurance) will be required to pay all fees.

Healthline

If you are unsure whether you need to see a GP, you can have your condition assessed by a free 24-hour health advice service staffed by registered nurses. Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116.

Healthline - Ministry of Health website