Otago and Southland

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Active

11 May 2025

National

New measles case in Auckland with exposure on Fullers360 ferries and supermarket

Active

22 November 2024

National

Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic across Aotearoa New Zealand

Dunedin

Dunedin Hospital

Emergency Department

Tertiary birthing unit

Dunedin Hospital

Invercargill

Southland Hospital

Emergency Department

Secondary birthing unit

Southland Hospital

Other hospitals in Otago and Southland

4 Hospitals

Queenstown

Other health services in Otago and Southland

Who can help

Select the option that best describes your needs.

Life-threatening emergencies

In any critical or life-threatening emergency call 111 for an ambulance.

Critical or life-threatening emergencies include:

chest pain or tightness (they may also feel pain or tightness in their arm, jaw, neck or tummy)
difficulty breathing
choking
sudden weakness or difficulty talking (this may be a stroke )
fainting or unconsciousness (not being awake)
severe pain
severe bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop.
serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
severe burn.

You can also go straight to an emergency department (ED).

Find an ED — Healthpoint (external link)

When to go to ED (internal link)

If it is not life-threatening

If you are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency, but cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) go to an after hours or urgent medical centre. They can help with most medical problems and accident care including:

bad cuts that may need stitching
sprains or minor bone breaks as many have x-ray available on-site
minor head injuries

You do not need an appointment but might have to wait.

Find your nearest accident and urgent medical centre — Healthpoint (external link)

Call Healthline for free

Healthline provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, free over-the-phone health service you can call for trusted health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.

Call Healthline: 0800 611 116 (external link)

Go to your usual GP or use an online doctor

If you are enrolled with a general practice (GP), their doctors, nurses and other team members can look after most of your healthcare. Same-day appointments may be available.

If you cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) you can book a same-day appointment through an online doctor.

These appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call. They can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.

Online and over-the-phone GP appointments (internal link)

Go to an after hours or urgent medical centre

If you are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency, but cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) go to an after hours or urgent medical centre. They can help with most medical problems and accident care including:

bad cuts that may need stitching
sprains or minor bone breaks as many have x-ray available on-site
minor head injuries

You do not need an appointment but might have to wait.

Find your nearest accident and urgent medical centre — Healthpoint (external link)

Go to a pharmacy

Get advice on medicines and common issues like:

coughs and colds
bladder or eye infections
minor cuts and grazes
emergency birth control.

They can suggest over-the-counter treatment, fill prescriptions, and some give immunisations. You do not need an appointment.

Find your nearest pharmacy — Healthpoint (external link)

What you can go to the pharmacy for (internal link)

Emergency contraception

You can get the emergency contraceptive pill over the counter at most pharmacies or from your usual GP or healthcare provider. If you are 22 or under, you can get it free from a Sexual Wellbeing Aoteroa clinic. It is is most effective if you take it within 24 hours after unprotected sex, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 3 days after.

Find a pharmacy that provides the emergency contraceptive pill — Healthpoint (external link)

Find a Sexual Wellbeing Aoteroa clinic (external link)

Call Healthline for free

Healthline provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, free over-the-phone health service you can call for trusted health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.

Call Healthline: 0800 611 116 (external link)

Go to a pharmacy

Get advice on medicines and common issues like:

coughs and colds
bladder or eye infections
minor cuts and grazes
emergency birth control.

They can suggest over-the-counter treatment, fill prescriptions, and some give immunisations. You do not need an appointment.

Find your nearest pharmacy — Healthpoint (external link)

What you can go to the pharmacy for (internal link)

Go to your usual GP or use an online doctor

If you are enrolled with a general practice (GP), their doctors, nurses and other team members can look after most of your healthcare. Call to get advice or make an appointment.

If you cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) you can book an appointment through an online doctor.

These appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call. They can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.

Find a GP taking enrolments — Healthpoint (external link)

Online and over-the-phone GP appointments (internal link)

Find information online

There are lots of New Zealand health websites that can help with generic health concerns such as symptoms and treatments. 

Search this website (internal link)

Visit HealthInfo (external link)

Visit KidsHealth (external link)

Urgent mental health support

If you, or someone you know, needs immediate help:

call 111
go to your nearest emergency department (ED)
contact your local mental health crisis assessment team.

Mental health crisis assessment teams (internal link)

Find your nearest ED — Healthpoint (external link)

Talk to someone in person

Book an appointment with your usual GP or healthcare provider, or talk to a trusted healthcare professional. They can help you through next steps, including referrals to mental health services.

Māori, Pacific People and 12 to 24-year-olds can access free mental health services with no referral. Visit the Access and Choice website to find out how.

Access and Choice (external link)

Call a helpline

Free call or text 1737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk with a trained counsellor. This service is free and confidential.

Call or text 1737 (external link)

Visit a mental health website

depression.org.nz provides information, validation and practical advice for those navigating depression and anxiety.

The Mental Health Foundation has lots of advice on how to find support for different circumstances as well as information about different mental health conditions.

Aroā Wellbeing is a resource hub with mindful tools created by rangatahi for rangatahi to support wellbeing.

depression.org.nz (external link)

Mental Health Foundation (external link)

Aroā Wellbeing (external link)

In an emergency

If you are concerned about yourself or your pēpi contact your midwife or doctor straight away.

If you do not have a midwife or doctor, go to the emergency department if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

heavy bleeding (soaking pads)
passing blood clots
having pain.

Find your nearest ED — Healthpoint (external link)

Pregnancy advice

Talk to your midwife or doctor if you have any concerns or questions. If you do not have a midwife, you can search for one on the ‘Find your Midwife’ website. The New Zealand College of Midwives website also has lots of information and resources.

If you do not have a midwife or doctor, you can call Healthline. Healthline provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, free over-the-phone health service you can call for trusted health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.

Find a midwife (external link)

Call Healthline: 0800 611 116 (external link)

Mental health support

Talk to your midwife or doctor if you are worried about your mental health. You can also free call or text 1737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk with a trained counsellor. This service is free and confidential.

Call or text 1737 (external link)

Emergency contraception

You can get the emergency contraceptive pill over the counter at most pharmacies or from your usual GP or healthcare provider. If you are 22 or under, you can get it free from a Sexual Wellbeing Aoteroa clinic. It is is most effective if you take it within 24 hours after unprotected sex, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 3 days after.

Find a pharmacy that provides the emergency contraceptive pill — Healthpoint (external link)

Find a Sexual Wellbeing Aoteroa clinic (external link)

If your pregnancy is unplanned

If you are thinking about having an abortion, DECIDE has the information you need about abortion services, abortion care, and how to find a provider near you.

DECIDE National Abortion Telehealth Service (external link)

In an emergency

Always call 111 if someone is seriously unwell, injured, or in danger. Our emergency services will assess the situation and send the right type of help.

This may include:

Sending an ambulance
Giving advice about other care options

Ambulance services in rural communities

Ambulance services are an important part of health care in rural New Zealand. In many areas, the ambulance may be your first, or only, emergency health provider. Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance respond to emergencies across the country, providing care at the scene and transporting people when needed.

Paramedics can assess and treat people on the spot, and in some situations, they may be able to treat you at home without taking you to hospital.

In smaller or remote communities, trained volunteer ambulance officers or first responders may arrive first to provide initial care until the ambulance gets there. These volunteers are local community members who are trained to help in emergencies.

If you are unsure what to do, call 111. The team will assess your situation and make sure the right help is sent to you.

Air ambulance services

In some parts of Aotearoa New Zealand, air ambulances — helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft — are used to get people the care they need when road access is limited or when specialist care is urgently required. These services are coordinated by clinical teams who assess each situation and send air support if needed.

Air ambulances are staffed by highly trained medical teams and are equipped to care for people with serious or complex conditions. They are often the fastest way to reach hospital care from remote or isolated locations.

For advice

Call Healthline for free

Healthline is a free service you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will speak with trained health professionals who can give trusted advice, information, or help you decide what to do next.

Call 0800 611 116 (external link)

National Poisons Centre helpline

Call 0800 764 766 (0800 POISON) for free, 24/7 advice about:

medicines
chemicals
bites and stings
plants and fungi.

Call 0800 764 766 (external link)

Go to a pharmacy

Some rural pharmacies can offer a wide range of services — not just dispensing medicine. They may also help with:

minor infections (like bladder or eye infections)
coughs, colds, and sore throats
cuts, grazes, or minor burns
mole removals and minor procedures
emergency contraception.

Many pharmacies can also give immunisations and offer over-the-counter advice with no appointment needed.

Find your nearest pharmacy — Healthpoint (external link)

Doctor appointments

Ka Ora Telecare for rural communities

Ka Ora Telecare is a free after-hours video and phone health service for those who live in or are visiting a rural location. It is free to speak to a nurse, and all appointments are free for tamariki under 14 years old.

Call 0800252 672 (external link)

Other online GP providers

If you cannot wait to see your usual healthcare provider (such as you GP) or you do not have one, you can book a same-day video or phone appointment with an online doctor.

They can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your local pharmacy.

Online and over-the-phone GP appointments (internal link)

Support for mental health

Rural Support Trust

Rural Support Trust (RST) are a nationwide network, run by local people, to help farming families and rural communities. Talk with someone who understands rural life and can provide support, advice, or practical help.

Call 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP) (external link)

Rural Support (external link)

1737 — Need to talk?

Call or text 1737 any time, day or night, to talk with a trained counsellor. It is free and confidential.

Call or text 1737 (external link)

Southern health future on Otago Access Radio

Health NZ presents community health updates every fourth Wednesday on the OARsome Morning Show. Past episodes are available on the Otago Access Radio website.

Southern health future — Otago Access Radio

Feedback

How was the care you or your whānau received at our healthcare providers in Otago and Southland? We welcome feedback, compliments or complaints to help us get things right.

Phone: 0800 683 006
Email: feedback@southerndhb.govt.nz

Otago and Southland feedback form (internal link)

If you have a problem you want sorted straight away, talk with the staff caring for you or ask to speak with a manager in that area.

Conditions and treatments

Immunisations

Keeping well

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Mental wellbeing

Locations

Services

Otago and Southland

Health alerts

Dunedin Hospital

Southland Hospital

Other hospitals in Otago and Southland

Lakes District Hospital

Oamaru Hospital

Wakari Hospital

Maniototo Hospital

Other health services in Otago and Southland

Who can help

Southern health future on Otago Access Radio

Feedback

Pregnancy and maternity