• 24 Hour Surgery Information

    In a medical emergency, call 111

    Call 24 Hour Surgery

    Call: 03 365 7777

    How to get there
    We are located at 401 Madras Street, Christchurch Central.

    Parking
    You can enter our carpark from Madras Street; turn left just before the lights on Bealey Avenue. We have a drop off area at the front entrance for patients who may require this.

    Public Transport
    You can plan your bus trip from the Journey Planner on the Metro website.

    Accessibility
    We have wheelchair parking and an accessibility ramp. Wheelchairs are available if you need them. We also have an interpreter service available.

    Find out more

  • Unsure where to go?

    In a medical emergency, call 111

    • Want 24/7 health advice?

      Call your GP or Healthline to talk to a health professional 24/7 and they will point you in the right direction.

      Call Healthline

    • Need a GP appointment

      Call your GP, find a GP or visit Practice Plus for a virtual appointment

      Find a GP

    • Should I visit the 24 Hour Surgery?

      Call your GP or Healthline to talk to a health professional 24/7 and they will point you in the right direction.

      Visit 24 Hour Surgery
Pegasus Health

Waitaha Canterbury

Refugee Health Service

If you are a former refugee living in the Ōtautahi Christchurch or Ashburton areas, the Waitaha Canterbury Refugee Health Service is here to make sure you have access to the health care you need.

Find a general practice
Canterbury Refugee Health Service Logo
If you are a former refugee living in the Ōtautahi Christchurch or Ashburton areas, we can assist you in connecting with local health services, such as: 
  • Finding a doctor or general practice for your health care  
  • Helping with understanding your right to free medical check-ups  
  • Providing information about your eligibility for free health care services.

Free call us on 0800 757 135 or email refugee.health@pegasus.health.nz

Funded healthcare for your first five years

To access health care in New Zealand, former refugees will need to enrol at a general practice. It is free to enrol, and as a permanent residents, former refugees may be able to receive funded visits for up to five years.

This includes help with:

  • Enrolling with a general practice
  • Before-school health checks for children under five years.
  • Pharmacy, to get medication
  • Laboratories, to get blood tests done
  • Maternity care, to find a midwife
  • Optometry, for eye checks and glasses
  • Accessing dental care
  • Mental health services  
  • Other health related support as needed.

Who can get funded visits?

You can access free general practitioner (GP) or nurse visits if you arrived in New Zealand as a:  

  • Quota Refugee
  • Family support or reunification refugee 
  • Community sponsorship refugee 
  • Convention refugee
  • Australian cohort
  • Asylum seeker, with a letter of acknowledgement of your application.  

You’ll also need to:  

Children under 14 do not have to pay to see a GP or nurse under the Zero fees for under-14s (healthinfo.org.nz) scheme.  

If you don't speak English

You have the right to a free and confidential professional interpreter for your appointment. Ask when you book or download a language card from HealthInfo.

How to enrol with a general practice?

Find a general practitioner that makes you feel comfortable. You can change if you need to, without any cost. To find a Pegasus Health general practice in your area, use our Health Directory.

Bring important documents with you to the general practice. This includes:  

  • Your Immigration New Zealand letter or Immigration and Protection Tribunal letter to prove your refugee status and show that you’ve been in New Zealand for less than five years. The Refugee Health Service can help you to confirm the status 
  • Your passport or Certificate of Identity 
  • Your valid Community Services Card. 

If you don’t have these things, the Refugee Health Service can help you.

When you might pay

Even if you’re eligible for free visits, there might be some costs like:  

  • Certain treatments not included in the visit 
  • Prescription fees at the pharmacy for some medications.  

Always feel free to ask how much things will cost. If cost is a problem, let your general practitioner or nurse know. Or contact us - we can talk about it and find a way to help.

Extra support 

There may be more help available for other health costs, like dental care and glasses. WINZ (workandincome.govt.nz) can talk with you about this and organise an interpreter if you need one. 

If you need a doctor or are looking for more resources, check out these benefits of registering with a general practice.

Remember, your health matters, and the Refugee Health Service is dedicated to ensuring you receive the care and support you need. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. 

Illustration of group of different hands holding the earth.

For more information and help

For more details, please contact the Waitaha Canterbury Refugee Health Service. You can free call us on 0800 757 135, or send an email.

Health professionals can visit Referring to the Refugee Health Service for more information.

Email Refugee Health Service