In an emergency
The phone number to call in an emergency is 111
Keep the emergency department for emergencies only. If you or your child are sick you need to know the right place to go.
If your child is unwell, it's always best to seek medical attention sooner, rather than later. Don't wait to see if their condition gets worse.
You can phone healthline on 0800 611 116 any time day or night and talk to a registered nurse. This service is free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone.
1 - Contact your Family Doctor (GP)
If your child is unwell or has a non-urgent health concern, phone your local doctor (GP). You can ring your GP 24/7 and after hours your call will be answered by an on-call nurse. If you don't have a GP, visit Healthpoint or phone healthline 0800 611 116 to find a GP or medical practice in your area.
2 - Contact the After Hours Services
For non-urgent, less serious health concerns when your GP medical practice is closed, contact an after-hours accident and medical service. See Healthpoint for:
3 - Contact Starship Children's Emergency Department
Location Map
For serious injury or health concerns ring 111 or go to Starship Children's Emergency Department
As a Hospital Emergency Department we see the most severely ill and injured children first. This means that children are not necessarily seen in order of arrival. We try to see patients as quickly as possible but there is usually at least a one hour wait to see a doctor.
Children who are waiting will be monitored by nursing staff. After the initial assessment and treatment, patients may be admitted to the hospital, transferred to another hospital or discharged.
For more information see Starship Paediatric Emergency Department in the directory of services.
Useful Information
Almost all GPs offer free treatment to children aged 13 years and under.
You will have to pay to see a GP if your child is over 13 years old, or sometimes if you see a doctor who is not your normal GP. It helps to be enrolled at a GP medical practice because then visits and medication are cheaper. It's free to enrol. See https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/visiting-doctor-or-nurse
If your visit is due to an accident, tell the GP's receptionist, as this will make your visit cheaper.
The emergency department at Starship hospital is free for emergency care only to New Zealand residents or citizens