Planned ASMS senior doctors' strike — Thursday 1 May, 24 hours
Patient safety is our priority. Our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open. Continue to attend all appointments on the day of the strike unless we have contacted you to reschedule.
Your general practice team, also known as your primary healthcare team, is your first point of contact for health advice or care, unless it is an emergency when you should call 111.
There are 40 or more general practitioners and nurse practitioners working alongside 70 practice nurses at 21 sites across South Canterbury.
General practices in South Canterbury — Healthpoint (external link)
For the best possible care, it is important that you and your whānau are enrolled with a general practice.
You can enrol with a general practice if you are eligible for publicly funded health services.
Guide to eligibility for public health services — Health New Zealand (external link)
When you enrol, you may be asked to show proof of eligibility, such as your passport or birth certificate. You will be asked to sign an enrolment form.
A general practice may not enrol more patients if they cannot safely take on more patients. To enrol with a general practice in South Canterbury:
Your medical record is kept with the general practice you are enrolled with, but any healthcare provider involved in your care can look at your record. You can ask to look at your record at any time.
General practices and medical centres are privately owned and set their own fees. The cost of a visit is lower if you are enrolled with that practice because the government subsidises the fee.
Zero fees for tamariki under 14 (internal link)
All South Canterbury general practices offer lower cost fees for Community Services Card (CSC) holders. Fees are listed with general practice details in Healthpoint.
General practices (internal link)
General practices in South Canterbury — Healthpoint (external link)
When you are choosing a general practitioner there are things to consider. Most importantly, choose one you trust and are comfortable with.
Choose your general practice (internal link)
To find out more about changing general practice in South Canterbury or which practices are taking on new patients, phone 03 687 2307.
You can use online doctor services while you are waiting to enrol with a local general practice.
If you cannot wait to see your usual doctor, nurse or healthcare provider, or you do not have one, go to an after hours or urgent care medical centre.
After hours general practice and medical care services in South Canterbury (internal link)