Accessing healthcare during the holiday season
The festive season is all about whānau, fun, and sunshine – but illness and injury can still happen. If you or someone in your whānau becomes unwell, it’s important to know where to get the right care in MidCentral.
From pharmacies and general practices to urgent care and emergency services, here’s how to access healthcare over the holiday period.
Practice and pharmacy holiday hours
There are lots of practices and pharmacies that stay open during the festive season but hours can vary:
Travelling? Use
Healthpoint to find opening hours for practices and pharmacies wherever you are.
Not sure where to go for healthcare these holidays?
🟢Non-urgent and minor illnesses
Lots of illnesses and other common conditions can be managed safely at home without needing to see a doctor, like mild colds, minor aches, or small injuries that aren't serious.
- Visit your local pharmacy for advice on treating minor health conditions. Pharmacists can provide guidance on how to manage your symptoms safely at home and can help with over-the-counter medicines.
- If you're not enrolled with a General Practice Team or other health provider, Healthline is a free service and available for you to contact for medical guidance 24/7. Call 0800 611 116 to speak to a registered nurse who can give you advice on managing minor health concerns.
🟡Non-urgent but you need to see a clinician
These are health issues that might be worrying you or are ongoing but aren't immediately dangerous. They may require medical advice from a doctor or nurse to manage effectively.
- Call your general practice team 24/7. Even after hours or on public holidays, your call will be diverted to a medical team who will advise you on your next steps.
- Alternatively, try Practice Plus for same-day, online medical appointments and prescriptions from the comfort of your home. You don’t need to be enrolled to use this service, and it's a great option if you need to see someone fast.
- If you're in Horowhenua, call Muaūpoko Tribal Authority Kaiāwhina on 0800 4 Takuta (0800 4 825 882). This free service connects Horowhenua whānau to free Practice Plus appointments and is available every day across the holiday period: weekdays 9am – 9pm & weekends 9am - 2pm.
🟠Needs urgent attention but not life-threatening
These are situations where your symptoms might be worsening, or you've had a moderate injury which needs to be seen to.
- Your first port of call should be your usual general practice team. During the day, they'll provide advice and support, and even afterhours, you'll be put through to a medical team who will make sure you receive the right care for your needs.
- If you’re not enrolled with a general practice, call Healthline 24/7 on 0800 611 116. They'll provide guidance on the next steps.
- Contact MidCentral's Urgent Care Centre at City Doctors, 22 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North for urgent concerns that can't wait to be seen. This service is available 8:00am - 8:00pm. If your symptoms are worsening, or you've had a moderate injury which needs to be seen to, call your regular general practice team first.
🔴Life-threatening emergencies - call 111
- Dial 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance or head to the Palmerston North Hospital Emergency Department.
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