Healthline and Well Child Telephone Advice Service

Background

Telephone health advice lines are used extensively overseas as effective and safe ways for people to access expert health advice. It was agreed in 1999 that the concept should be trialed in New Zealand and the Ministry of Health tendered for a provider to provide a pilot service.

In 2003, the Ministry of Health sought tenders for the provision of a national Healthline service. The tender requested that the national Healthline service provider include the provision of advice on Well Child and parent support.

At that time Well Child and parenting advice was delivered under contract to the Ministry by Plunket as PlunketLine. McKesson NZ Ltd, the Healthline provider, and Plunket were successful in tendering for the national service that was delivered from July 2004 - June 2006 as Healthline incorporating PlunketLine.

Following a further open tender process in 2005/06, the contract for the Well Child telephone advice service was awarded to McKesson, which also continues to provide Healthline.

From July 1 all calls will go through the existing Healthline number (0800 611 116) and Well Child calls will be transferred to a Well Child nurse or a registered nurse with ready access to Well Child expertise.


Page last reviewed: 26 October 2007