What is the right care for you?

Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau is on a campaign to help clients of health services understand the right health care options available to them.

Many people don’t know where to turn when they are worried about their own or a loved one’s health but there are options to help you when you are worried or nervous.

Chief Medical Advisor for Primary and Integrated Care, Campbell Brebner says it’s vital that people know about the range of options that exist for their health care.

“There are a range of options if you’re unwell, or think you need help,” says Campbell, “and many are free or low cost. Its really important people don’t delay – if they get treatment early it can help avoid things getting serious.

“For a start, there’s some really useful online selfhelp options. One that I’d recommend is Health Navigator. Its free and is run by health professionals so its reliable. It can help whether you have a problem like the flu, or a long-term condition like asthma or diabetes.”

Your local pharmacist

Pharmacists are registered health professionals who can provide free advice on a whole range of conditions such as eye infections, rashes and minor injuries.

Many also offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines as well as being able to provide emergency contraception. They can assist if you’ve run out of your prescribed medication and you can’t get to the doctor immediately. They can dispense up to three days’ supply of your meds to keep you going and they will direct you on to other healthcare providers if need be.

Call Healthline for FREE advice

Healthline is a free telephone advice line available 24 hours. It’s free whether you call from a landline or mobile and they are specialists in assessing and advising over the phone.

Call them if you’re feeling unwell but you’re not sure if you need to see a doctor, if you want some advice about a family member or a friend who’s sick, or if you want advice on finding services near you.

Don’t call them if it’s a life or limb-threatening medical emergency – in that case call 111.

Check online

Health Navigator is a free online service, run by health professionals, which helps to provide a reliable initial diagnosis for your condition.

Healthpoint is another online service. This website has details of GP clinics, midwives, pharmacists and other health professionals in your local area. It also has information on hospitals and outpatient clinics.

See your GP

If the other options aren’t right and you do need to see a GP, it’s usually best to see your regular one who knows you best. And it may not be as pricey as you think.

Samantha Gregory, Programme Manager for Primary Care, says you can always check with your GP whether they offer discounted consultation fees, sometimes known as Very Low Cost Access.

“Some offer fees such as $13 for rangitahi aged 1417, and $19.50 for 18 and over. And it’s free for kids under 16 at almost all GP clinics in South Auckland.

“If you can’t get to your GP, it’s worth checking if they offer one of the online consultation options. These services can do a lot for you including sending a prescription to your pharmacy and ordering blood tests.”

And for some, you don’t need to be enrolled with a GP, they’re available for anyone.

Campbell Brebner offers extra advice on Right Care.

● Only call an ambulance in cases of a life or limbthreatening emergency.

● Don’t always assume your GP isn’t available after hours. Many are open in the evenings and on weekends. Healthpoint has opening hours of clinics and what their fees are.

● Going to an Urgent Care Clinic may not be as expensive as you think. Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) subsidises care after-hours for many people. You can check fees on Healthpoint.

"Sione absolutely practices our values. He is able to eloquently explain patients’ perspectives to clinicians, and he demonstrates how working together with our team, doctors, and of course the patient can provide best outcomes for developing future care plans. Sione works with integrity and his role in helping provide equity in our health system is of great importance."