1 Jul 2025Emergency Consult is proud to announce its participation in the Minister of Health’s new 24/7 digital health service initiative, significantly expanding Kiwis’ access to expert medical care—day or night, without appointment, from anywhere in the country.
As part of this game-changing programme, Emergency Consult will offer its trusted Emergency Medicine Specialists at much-reduced fees to eligible New Zealanders, including children, youth, and Community Services Card holders. With funding from the Ministry of Health, the service removes financial and logistical barriers to acute care, especially during after-hours or when your regular GP is unavailable.
Care from emergency experts—when you need it most
Unlike traditional GP telehealth providers, Emergency Consult connects patients with doctors highly trained in emergency medicine. These specialist doctors are vastly experienced in managing a wide range of acute, urgent, and episodic conditions—making them the ideal first point of contact in situations when time matters, you're away from home, or when your regular GP can’t be reached.
“It’s hugely comforting to be able to video chat with an emergency doctor, who’s used to treating priority cases in a hospital emergency department,” says Johnny Louie, CEO at Emergency Consult. “This initiative allows us to extend that expertise to all New Zealanders, at a fraction of the usual cost.”
No appointment, no enrolment, no worries
Emergency Consult operates like a virtual urgent care clinic. There’s no need to enrol or book in advance. Patients simply log on and consult with a doctor in real time, 24/7. After the consultation, notes are securely shared with the patient’s usual GP, helping maintain continuity of care.
Whether you're a busy parent with a sick child, a student living away from home, a rural resident far from the nearest clinic, or simply need urgent care outside standard hours—Emergency Consult is just a click away.
Unlike many physical clinics, estimated wait time is just 15 minutes. The first person you’ll see on-screen is an experienced triage nurse, who will collect a few pertinent details, then you’ll be transferred to a doctor.
Accessible, affordable, expert care on-demand
Participation in the 24/7 digital health service means:
• Heavily reduced fees for children, youth, and Community Services Card holders
• Access to emergency specialist doctors 24/7, nationwide
• No enrolment required – use it once, or as often as needed
• No appointment necessary – on-demand acute care when you need it
• Easy online portal to access video consults without apps or downloads
• Patient notes shared with your GP for continuity of care
This partnership with the government reflects Emergency Consult’s ongoing commitment to making high-quality, responsive care more accessible for all New Zealanders.