Health NZ revealed in an OIA (Official Information Act) inquiry that Upper Hutt is the only “large urban area” in the country where there is no hospital or after-hours and urgent care. Similarly sized cities including Invercargill, Timaru, and Lower Hutt had limited access to after-hours care.

Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre General Manager Mark O’Connor said the Hutt region has been historically “under-served” for health services. He said that they see 25,000 people a year. O’Connor said he didn’t think a separate Upper Hutt services was viable, given the lack of GP’s. “There is a massive shortage of GPs, whether they be urgent or general practice, in New Zealand, and to resource an urgent care practice in Upper Hutt would be almost impossible.”

Upper Hutt mayor Peri Zee said that’s not safe.

She said a previously operating Saturday after-hours service helped her son when he had an epileptic seizure in 2020, and the closest ambulance was in Wellington city.

“I’ve had so many messages from parents in situations like mine, sometimes quite serious ones, and also just kids who are sick over and over again and really need to be seen.

“We really desperately need local services, and that’s not an unreasonable expectation.”

Zee is calling for Health NZ to do a Health Needs Assessment for the growing city.

She also wants the agency to change its commissioning requirements so that every city in the country must have an urgent care and after-hours service.

Health NZ’s regional director of planning, funding & outcomes central, Geoff Gwyn, said the agency “acknowledges the concerns raised by Upper Hutt residents about the lack of urgent care and after-hours services”.

Gwyn said that, along with the expanded services being offered at Lower Hutt Medical Centre, a range of other initiatives are in place in Upper Hutt.

“These include telehealth and online GP care, and a nurse-led service at Queen Street Pharmacy.

“These services are available evenings and weekends to triage, treat, or refer people to appropriate care – this includes virtual consultations, which are free for children under 14 years.”

He said current national commissioning requirements for after-hours services do not specify that each city must have a standalone after-hours facility.

“Our focus is to ensure that people can access urgent care within reasonable travel times or through virtual or pharmacy-based services.”

Source: Radio New Zealand

03/11/25