New Zealanders in need of urgent health care are set to benefit from a funding boost for urgent and after-hours healthcare services across the country.
Health Minister, Simeon Brown, today announced Budget 2025 would include $164 million over four years to expand urgent and after-hours healthcare.
“This means 98% of New Zealanders will be able to receive in-person urgent care within one hour’s drive of their homes,” said Mr Brown.
“Strengthening urgent and after-hours care is an important part of our Government’s plan to ensure all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare.”
The funding will see the establishment of a new 24-hour urgent care service identified for Counties Manukau.
It will also support:
- New 24-hour urgent care services identified for larger provincial centres, including Whangārei, Palmerston North, Tauranga and Dunedin;
- New and extended daytime urgent care services identified in other provincial cities and towns, including in Lower Hutt, Invercargill and Timaru;
- Maintaining all existing urgent and after-hours healthcare services across the country;
- Better after-hour services in remote rural locations with 24/7 on-call support to deliver enhanced services.
“Around 5,000 New Zealanders visit urgent care clinics every day, but the availability of after-hours services has declined in recent years, and access remains variable across the country,” said Mr Brown.
“Making it easier to see a doctor or nurse is a key priority for this Government. We’re taking action to ensure Kiwis can access the care they need, when and where they need it.
“Our investment will also support more timely care, reducing pressure on emergency departments, and improving outcomes for patients.
“Urgent care supports patients with non-life-threatening injuries or medical problems not severe enough to require emergency department care, but who can’t wait until the following day for medical attention.”
Minister Brown said that expanding community-based urgent care will help ease pressure on hospitals and keep emergency departments wait times down for those with the most serious conditions.
“It also gives people more choice, particularly in rural and remote areas where options have been limited,” he said.
