What do I do if I have an urgent medical problem or emergency in Kapiti?
Emergency and urgent medical care has been a priority for Kapiti Health Advisory Group since 2018. The following outlines what you should do if you have an emergency or urgent medical problem in Kapiti.
1. If the problem is a life threatening or serious emergency
(for example a cardiac arrest, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, bad injuries or severe abdominal pain)
Phone 111 and ask for the ambulance
If you live south of Peka Peka Road the Wellington Free Ambulance is most likely to
respond. For people living north of Peka Peka Road, St John Ambulance is most likely to respond.
If the Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics consider it appropriate, you will be taken to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department at:
Wellington Regional Hospital
Riddiford Street
Newtown
Wellington 6021
If the St John Ambulance paramedics consider it appropriate, you will be taken to the Palmerston North Hospital Emergency Department at:
Palmerston North Hospital
50 Ruahine Street,
Roslyn,
Palmerston North 4442
Both hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The nature and urgency of your illness or injury will be assessed when you arrive at the Emergency Department. Patients are treated in order of urgency, not arrival times, so those with more severe symptoms or injuries are treated before those with less serious conditions.
Health care services at both hospitals are funded by the government. Anyone needing emergency care will receive treatment. However, patients who do not qualify for free or subsidised health care will be charged for their treatment.
Read more about whether you are eligible for free healthcare in an emergency at :
Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics may decide you are suitable for the Ambulance Diversion Programme. See details Below*
2. If it is after hours and the matter is urgent, but not life threatening
Call your medical centre – on their after hours number if they have one and you know it. In most cases you will be put through to a registered nurse after hours service who will advise you on the appropriate course of action.
Alternatively you could call :
Healthline
0800 611 116.and a registered nurse will advise.
Team Medical Urgent Care and GP Services
(Please call before going to Team Medical)
Coastlands Shopping Centre, Rimu Road, Paraparaumu
Phone : 04 2973000
Hours : 8 am-9.45 pm every day
The Urgent Care Clinic is open late every day from 8am-10pm (excluding Xmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day) for accidents, injuries, sudden illness and other urgent care services. For patients over 14 years old who are enrolled with practices in the Kapiti area we advise you to contact your own practice after hours services in the first instance unless your matter needs immediate medical attention or results from an accident. A fee applies in most cases.
Additional services : X-ray facilities, Urgent Care and ACC Accredited, fully equipped resuscitation unit.
Website : (thedoctors.co.nz)
Wellington Accident & Urgent Medical Centre
17 Adelaide Road, Newtown, Wellington
Phone: (04) 384 4944
Hours: 8am to 9pm every day
Provide a walk in service, no appointment necessary. You can visit for urgent medical problems and accidents, such as sprains, lacerations and broken bones, either when your GP is unavailable or if you feel your problem is too urgent to wait for an appointment with your GP. A fee applies in most cases.
Additional services: X-ray and fracture clinic facilities, pharmacy, radiology
Kenepuru Accident and Medical Clinic
Kenepuru Hospital, Raiha Street, Porirua
Phone: (04) 918 2300
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Kenepuru is an urgent care clinic - not an emergency department. They provide primary level care services for urgent medical problems and accidents. They can treat you if you have had an accident or have an urgent medical problem and cannot see your own doctor. Most services incur a fee. Further details are on their website.
3. If it is within office hours and the matter is urgent but not life threatening :
Call your medical centre and seek their advice. Alternatively, call one of the services listed above.
4. If you have a mental health emergency :
Te Haika, 24/7 mental health and addictions contact centre
Te Haika is a mental health and addictions contact centre for people in crisis or experiencing moderate to severe mental health or addiction problems. It is for everyone from Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti, the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa.
Te Haika is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by mental health and addiction professionals.
·
Phone: 0800 745 477.
· Fax referrals: 04 918 2204
· Email: tehaika@ccdhb.org.nz
You can read more about Te Haika at http://www.mhaids.health.nz/our-services/do-you-or-does-someone-you-know-need-help-now/.
*Ambulance Diversion Programme for Kapiti Residents
Some Kāpiti residents requiring emergency ambulance care and a possible trip to Wellington Hospital now have a treatment option closer to home.
When you call 111 you will be assessed by Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics. They will assess you to determine the best treatment or care. If appropriate, they will contact your GP and arrange transport to your local practice, where you will be treated for free. If your medical centre determines you condition is more serious or you need treatment only available from the hospital you will be transported to Wellington Regional Hospital Emergency Department.
You are responsible for your own transport home – but this is simpler from a local health centre than from Wellington Hospital.
At this stage this service is available 7 days a week, from 8am-10pm.
Speak to your doctor or medical practice in the first instance. All nine Kapiti medical centres are currently involved and the Diversion Programme is a collaboration with Tū Ora Compass PHO, Wellington Free Ambulance, Kāpiti GPs and the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group with a focus on making urgent and after hours primary health care more accessible to Kāpiti residents.