Keep the Emergency Department for emergencies

What is an emergency?

An emergency is a potentially life or limb threatening situation e.g.

• Difficulty breathing;

• Heavy bleeding;

• Suspected heart attack;

• Unconsciousness;

• Severely broken bones.

By using emergency services for minor problems you may prevent others from receiving urgent care.

Patients with minor injury or illness will be seen only when people in more urgent categories have been attended to.

For free advice from trained registered nurses.

Healthline is here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone calls are free from within New Zealand – this includes calls from a mobile phone.

Call Healthline if you’re:

• feeling unwell – but not sure whether you need to see a doctor;

• needing some urgent advice about a family member or friend who’s sick;

• on holiday and want to know where the nearest doctor or pharmacy is.

Our Healthline nurses are specialists in assessing and advising over the phone.

If you need to talk to someone in your own language, Healthline can usually arrange this using an interpreting service.

For more information go to http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/healthline

PlunketLine is a toll-free parent helpline and advice service available to all families, whānau and caregivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call 0800 933 922 for parenting help. Calls are free from cell phones.

When you call PlunketLine your call will be answered by a Plunket nurse, who can give you advice and information on parenting issues and your child’s health and wellbeing.

Plunket Nurses are registered nurses with additional qualifications in well child health. We also have nurses who can speak other languages.

As well as providing high-quality advice, PlunketLine is a great way to access our nationwide family support network. It is a gateway to many services, including referrals to local Plunket nurses, car seat rentals and Plunket family centres.

You don’t have to be registered with Plunket to access or use PlunketLine services.

For more information go to https://www.plunket.org.nz/what-we-do/what-we-offer/plunketline/