Aware that some Christchurch residents have recently relocated to Whanganui, we have prepared this Fact Sheet which we hope you will find helpful.
 
How do I access primary health care services?  
If you wish to enroll with a local GP please contact Karen Veldhoen at Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation (WRPHO) on (06) 348 0109 for details of the general practices that are taking enrolments.  
 
Christchurch residents will not be charged for casual visits to Whanganui Accident & Medical (WAM) or to GPs under the WRPHO up until 25 March 2011.  Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation is providing the funds to support this service.  
 
For urgent general medical care the Whanganui Accident & Medical clinic caters to people without their own GP, people new to Wanganui or who are visiting. Situated next to the Emergency Department at the Wanganui Hospital in Heads Road they are open 8am-9pm daily, including public holidays, and can be contacted on (06) 348 1300.  No appointment is necessary.
 
Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority (TOIHA) Primary Health Organisation will waiver the higher casual rate for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake. The charge will be the same as that paid by TOIHA’s registered clients. This will be reviewed on 31 March 2011.
 
For a list of all general practices go to the WDHB home page on www.wdhb.org.nz and click on the link called ‘Find a GP or Midwife’.
 
How can I access general health advice? 
For general over-the-phone health advice 24-hours a day call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak with a registered nurse.
 
How do I access a pharmacy?
You can find a list of local pharmacies under the yellow pages of the Wanganui phone book.  For after-hours service Radius Pharmacy operates Monday to Friday 8.30am-8.30pm, Saturday 9am-8.30pm, Sunday and public holidays 12.30pm-8.30pm. Situated at 36 Fitzherbert Avenue in Springvale, they can be contacted on (06) 344 7614.
 
How do I access psychological support? 
Relationship Services Whakawhanaungatanga, New Zealand’s largest provider of professional counselling and relationship education, is offering a free, Government-funded crisis counselling service for anyone affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
 
This service is two-fold, providing telephone support for Christchurch residents and others outside Christchurch and/or face-to-face counselling for those outside of Christchurch. 
 
Telephone support (24-hour) can be reached through 0800 RELATE (0800 735 283) or you can contact the Whanganui office directly on (06) 348 0027.  For more information on how to cope with your reaction to the earthquake go to www.relate.org.nz.
Other local counselling services are also available, but there may be a cost involved.
 
The Ministry of Health website has some useful information about coping with stress.http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/coping-with-stress-factsheets