The government provides help if you need medical help at home:

• because of ongoing or age-related health problems
• because of an injury or disability
• for a short time while you’re recovering after hospital treatment.

You must also be eligible for publicly funded healthcare.

Getting publicly funded health services

If you just need some medical advice, you can call a registered nurse on Healthline, freephone 0800 611 116.

Free health advice

Help you can get

Nursing or medical help in your home includes:

• regular tests, eg for blood pressure or blood sugar levels
• help with taking medication
• caring for a wound, eg changing the dressing
• continence help
• equipment to help you get around
• respite care.

If you need care from a specialist, see your doctor for a referral.

Seeing a specialist

How to ask for government help

Asking your doctor about the help you can get is a good place to start.

They can arrange the following help depending on your situation.

• A district nurse visits you at home. They provide care and treatment, and work with your family doctor or hospital doctors to support you. Most district nurses work for Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand, although some work for community trusts, primary health organisations or occasionally, a general practice or a commercial business.
• If you need help for a longer time, your doctor will arrange a needs assessment through a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) team. Many home support providers provide basic nursing services.

Getting a needs assessment

If you have a disability or ongoing health issues

Arrange a needs assessment through your doctor or NASC team if you have:

• health problems due to old age
• an ongoing health condition that will last for more than 6 months, or
• a disability.

Getting a needs assessment

If you’re on a low income, you can apply for the Disability Allowance if you need to:

• make extra visits to the doctor or a specialist
• buy food for a special diet
• get incontinence products.

Disability Allowance

After an injury caused by an accident

If you need help because of an injury, the health professional treating you lodges a claim with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).

What to do if you’re injured

If your claim is accepted, your case owner at ACC can arrange the help you need. They carry out a Social Rehabilitation Assessment to work out what you need. If your injury is serious and going to affect you for a long time, they do a Support Needs Assessment.

Help at home after an injury

If you cannot get government help

There are some other ways you can get medical or nursing help at home.

• You can pay for services yourself. If you have a needs assessment, ask the team to suggest services in your area.
• If you have private health insurance, check your policy to find out if they pay for nursing services in your home.

65 years or older

Your SuperGold Card gives you discounts for some businesses that provide medical care.

SuperGold directory