Public Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

What is happening?

Choose well for yourself and your whānau this Winter by making your local community pharmacy the place you visit for advice, medicine and referral for minor health conditions.

A pharmacist can provide you with trusted advice related to your situation. They can give you advice on managing your condition and if needed, treatment options which may include medicine. If your condition needs further support, they can recommend the best place for you to go for help.

This Winter, for some groups of people and for some minor health conditions, this advice and treatment, if needed, will be free This is called the Community Pharmacy Minor Health Conditions Service.

We’re doing this to help relieve pressure on the health system in parts of the motu that are particularly stretched.

Who can get it?

The Minor Health Conditions Service is for: o Māori or Pacific people o Children under 14 years of age, or a whānau member of child with similar symptoms. For example, if the pharmacist determines your child is needing treatment for scabies and they have older brothers or sisters, or you yourself also have symptoms, they may be able to provide medicine for you all o Community Service Card (CSC) holders

What conditions are covered under the service?

Minor health conditions are those that can be managed with advice, self-care and, in some cases, medicines provided by your pharmacist. Proper management of minor health conditions can prevent more serious conditions from developing or prevent further costly treatment. The following health conditions are included in the Minor Health Conditions Service:

• Acute diarrhoea

• Dehydration

• Eye inflammation and infections

• Scabies

• Headlice

• Pain and fever

• Eczema/Dermatitis

• Minor skin infections

Where do I get it?

Pharmacies in the following areas have been invited to take part in the service: Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waitematā, Bay of Plenty, MidCentral, Wellington and Hutt Valley, Canterbury, Invercargill, Gore and Southland.

You can find a list of all participating pharmacies on HealthPoint and the Te Whatu Ora website.

When is the service available?

The Minor Health Conditions Service is available from Monday 12 June to Saturday 30 September to relieve hospital and system pressures during the peak of winter.

Why is it happening?

The Minor Health Conditions Service is being offered over Winter to help reduce the pressure on hospitals and primary care in areas recognised as having consistent and persistent hospital flow challenges and wider system pressures.

Specific

Why isn’t it happening here?

The Minor Health Conditions Service is part of a winter programme to help relieve pressure off hospitals and primary care in regions recognised as having consistent and persistent hospital flow challenges and wider system pressures.

Community pharmacies outside of the catchment area of this Winter programme are still able to provide you with advice specific to your situation, including treatment options if needed or recommendations on whether you should visit your GP or another healthcare provider.

What happens if I have something that’s not covered by the service?

A pharmacist at your local community pharmacy can provide you with free, trusted advice. They can help you manage or treat your condition and recommend who else you might need to see, such as your GP or another healthcare provider.

Can I still see a pharmacist if I don’t meet the eligibility criteria?