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Public hospitals

Hospitals provide a variety of publicly funded health and disability services such as medical, surgical, maternity, diagnostic and emergency services. The range of services offered by an individual hospital is affected by the size of the local population and the services offered by other hospitals in the region. You could be an inpatient, outpatient, day patient, or under planned care.

Find a hospital

Hospital appointments and stays

Preparing for a hospital stay

What your hospital appointment letter or email should tell you, what to know before your stay and what to bring, what to do when you arrive, and information if you are having surgery.

Anaesthesia for your surgery

Anaesthetics are medicines that can numb a part of your body so you do not feel pain. They can also make you 'go to sleep' and be unaware of your surgery or procedure. The choice of anaesthetic depends on the type of surgery and your overall health.

Your stay in hospital

The staff and services in hospital are there to help you and your whānau during your stay. The more you know about what to expect, the more you can relax and focus on your health and recovery.

Leaving hospital

Leaving hospital (hospital discharge) will be discussed with you during your hospital stay. It is important for your recovery that your discharge happens quickly when you no longer need hospital care.

Online hospital appointments (Telehealth)

Some hospital services offer online (phone or video) appointments. Online appointments can save you time and travel costs while getting the same quality of care.