Accident and urgent medical care in Akaroa and the Bays is provided 24/7 by Akaroa Health Centre. You can call us on 033047004 for any urgent accident or medical issue. One of our receptionists (during open hours) or nurses (afterhours) will arrange for a Doctor or Nurse to assess you immediately.

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We do not have an Emergency Department however if you need emergency care for major illnesses or accidents our team is trained to provide the support to assess you, treat you or stabilise you and where necessary arrange to transfer you to the appropriate tertiary/major hospital either by ambulance or by helicopter.

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As with all primary care providers in New Zealand there is a charge for urgent accident and medical care.

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Healthcare in New Zealand is not free to the patient but it is subsidised by the Ministry of Health for enrolled patients (an enrolled patient is a patient who is registered with Akaroa Health Centre) for medical consultations during normal hours and by ACC for all patients (for injuries caused by accidents – at any time). The remaining fee, the co-payment, is charged to the patient.

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As you might expect, providing medical services after-hours costs more than during normal hours, especially for unplanned/urgent care. Extra fees may apply for an extended consultation, certain procedures, tests, injections and medical supplies. Discounts may apply for holders of Community Services Cards.

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Urgent care - enrolled patients

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• If you are under 14 years and enrolled with Akaroa Health Centre there is no co-payment. 

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• If you are fourteen years or over the fee will depend on:

  • whether the consultation is medical or accident (ACC discount your fee for an accident);

  • whether as a registered patient you have a Community Services Card or not;

  • the time of day/day of week you attend (higher fees apply after hours).

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Urgent care - casual patients

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A casual patient is a patient not enrolled at the Akaroa Health Centre who is a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or who has a work visa of two years or more. If you have not seen us previously, you will need to bring proof of eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand.  Please bring along your passport with visa or other valid documentation. 

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• Casual patients aged thirteen years old and younger using the Urgent Care service will need to pay a co-payment before 6pm during the week.

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• Casual patients aged 14 years and over will be required to pay fees for care and the fee will depend on:

  • whether the consultation is medical or accident (ACC discount your fee for an accident);

  • whether as a registered patient you have a Community Services Card or not;

  • the time of day/day of week you attend (higher fees apply after hours).

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Urgent care - visitors to New Zealand

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Visitors to New Zealand may need to access healthcare while here and are welcome to visit the Akaroa Health Centre.

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New Zealand is a developed country with good quality medical services. Primary care is the usual first point of care that most people access. This is commonly a GP (general practitioner) or ‘family doctor’. You have to pay for this service. Enrolling at the practice reduces the cost but is only possible for NZ citizens or permanent residents, or those with a work visa of two years or more. 

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• Visitors aged fourteen years old and younger using the Urgent Care service will need to pay a co-payment unless they are from a Country with a reciprocal agreement with New Zealand, such as the UK and Australia.

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• Visitors aged 14 years and over will be required to pay fees for care and the fee will depend on:

  • whether the consultation is medical or accident (ACC discount your fee for an accident);

  • whether as a registered patient you have a Community Services Card or not;

  • the time of day/day of week you attend (higher fees apply after hours).

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Medication costs the same amount throughout New Zealand. If you are a resident in NZ you will pay $5.00 for each prescription item. The charge for a non-resident (unless coming from a reciprocal country like Australia or the UK) will not be subsidised and the full cost of the medicine will apply.

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If a visitor to New Zealand requires ambulance transport the cost can be very high. It is strongly recommended that visitors to New Zealand have medical insurance, provided through their travel insurance, even if a ‘reciprocal arrangement’ is in place with their home country.

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We take payment or credit card details from casual and non-resident patients on arrival, unless it is an emergency situation, and expect payment after care has been delivered.

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