21 June 2024

Re: Decommissioning of COVID-19 clinical telehealth service

Kia ora,
This is to advise that, from 1 July 2024, a small number of COVID-19-specific telehealth services funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and provided by Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth Services, are being decommissioned.
This is because as New Zealand has moved beyond the COVID-19 pandemic response, demand for specific COVID-related services – including some telehealth services – has reduced over time.
The move to manage COVID-19 as part of business as usual is also consistent with Health NZ’s approach to managing other communicable diseases across the health system, with a number of COVID-19 pandemic-specific services already disestablished as part of this process. This allows us to refocus on other parts of the health system to meet the evolving health needs of New Zealanders.
This means the services no longer available from 1 July 2024 include:

• the Clinical Advice Line (0800 177 622): a non-public facing service providing clinical advice from doctors, for community and health providers.
• the COVID Healthline (0800 358 5453): providing information and advice about COVID-19. From 1 July, people should instead call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice about COVID.
• Healthline doctor support: from 1 July, there will be no Healthline doctor support, but Healthline nurses and paramedics will continue to provide expert, trusted health advice, treatment, and information.

For further information and support after 1 July, please refer to:

• Immunisation Advisory Centre
• National Public Health Service (including Regional Public Health contacts)
• Healthpoint
• Ka Ora Rural Clinical Telehealth Service (note practices in rural areas can also sign up to this service)
• Other Whakarongorau-run telehealth services
• Health NZ guidance for health professionals
• We also encourage providers who offer virtual consultation services to offer this option to their patients, where appropriate.

  (Note that members of the public can still call Healthline for free 24/7 on 0800 611 116 for health advice, information and support).

We acknowledge the ongoing efforts of all healthcare professionals and Whakarongorau Aotearoa in supporting New Zealanders to access healthcare services.

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to reshape these services to best meet their needs.

Nga Mihi,
Martin Hefford
Director Living Well
National Commissioning