Ask the people you trust
Word of mouth is still one of the best guides there is, so ask your friends, family and workmates who they see and what they value most about their care.
Choosing a doctor
How to choose a doctor or nurse practitioner
Things to look at when you're comparing practices, from word of mouth to checking a clinician's registration.
Choosing who looks after your health is one of the most important decisions you'll make, because the right doctor or nurse practitioner will get to know you, your history and your family over many years. It's worth taking a little time to do your research before you enrol anywhere, so here are some of the things we suggest looking at when you're comparing practices.
Ask other health professionals
Pharmacists, physiotherapists and midwives work alongside many local practices and often have a good feel for which ones are well run and easy to work with.
Do your research online
Sites like Google and Healthpoint let you read about practices and other people's experiences. Reviews only ever show part of the picture, so look for patterns over time rather than focusing on one or two comments.
Check their registration
Every doctor practising in New Zealand must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand and hold a current practising certificate, which you can check on the Medical Council's public register. Nurse practitioners are registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and you can check their registration on the Nursing Council's register in the same way.
Understand what a nurse practitioner does
Nurse practitioners are highly experienced registered nurses with advanced clinical training and a master's degree. They can assess and diagnose, order tests, prescribe medicines and refer you on, which means they can be your main clinician in the same way a GP can.
Look at how the practice works
Check the opening hours, how easy it is to book, what the fees are, whether there's a patient portal, which languages the team speaks and what services are offered under one roof. These everyday details make a real difference to how easy your care feels from day to day.
Give them a call or pop in
A quick conversation with the reception team will tell you a lot about how a practice treats people and whether it feels like the right fit for you and your family.