New Plymouth
Taranaki Base Hospital,
New Plymouth (Access to testing clinic off Tukapa Street)
Hours:
Monday 29 November to Friday 3 December: 9am-3pm, Saturday 4 December & Sunday 5 December: 9am-1pm
Phone: 0800 678 378
There is NO CHARGE for testing; it is FREE.
MediCross Urgent Care & GP Clinic, Egmont Street, New Plymouth
Hours:
Medicross is open 8am-8pm, but testing hours are between 10am-4pm, 7 days a week.
Phone: Please call to book an appointment: (06) 759 8915
There is NO CHARGE for testing; it is FREE.
Phoenix Urgent Care & GP Clinic, 95 Vivian Street, New Plymouth
Hours: Phoenix is open 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-2pm Sunday.
Testing hours are determined by demand and appointment times are given on the day you call.
Phone: (06) 759 4295
There is NO CHARGE for testing; it is FREE.
Hāwera
Hāwera Hospital, Hunter Street, Hāwera
Hours:
Wednesday 1 December, Friday 3 December: 10am-2pm
Phone:
Please call 0800 678 378 and discuss your needs with the testing team and they will arrange an appropriate time for you to come in, or find a solution for testing if you cannot access one of the clinics.
There is NO CHARGE for testing; it is FREE.
Waitara
Waitara Health Centre, 26 Grey Street, Waitara
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm.
Phone: Please call in advance (06) 754 8119
There is NO CHARGE for testing; it is FREE.
Ōpunakē
Ōpunakē Health Centre/Coastal Care,
26 Napier Street,
Ōpunakē
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm.
Phone: Please call in advance (06) 761 7324
There is NO CHARGE for testing; it is FREE.
COVID-19 symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to a range of other illnesses such as cold and flu. Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- a cough
- a high temperature (at least 38°C)
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sneezing and runny nose
- temporary loss of smell.
Having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have COVID-19, but if you are feeling unwell and have been to one of the locations of interest please self-isolate and get tested straight away even if you have a sniffle or a slight sore throat. It is best to be on the safe side. Stay at home until you have been well for at least 48 hours and your test is negative.
If you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms relating to COVID-19 you can get advice and arrange testing through the following options:
- Call your family GP or medical centre. If you’ve been referred to the testing clinics from your doctor/GP please go home and wait for clinic staff to contact you with a test appointment time. We ask you not to show up without an appointment, as this will help us manage the waiting times better.
- Or you can call your local COVID-19 testing clinic in New Plymouth, Waitara, Ōpunakē or Hāwera (details above).
For Māori health support and information on testing please contact:
Patients/visitors
UPDATED: 20 October 2021
At Alert Level 2 Taranaki Base and Hāwera hospital's visitor policy is one designated visitor per patient, one support person for people attending hospital appointments and no children under 16 years except by prior arrangement.
At Alert Level 2 support people are not permitted to accompany ultrasound patients into the scan rooms, but are welcome to sit in the waiting room until completion.
Exceptions will be considered by clinical nurse managers or lead clinicians. We still need to minimise visitors into our hospitals and keep 2 metre distancing at Alert Level 2. Please help keep everyone safe by wearing a face covering if you’re coming into our hospitals.
Bluetooth upgrade to NZ COVID Tracer app
NZ COVID Tracer will update automatically on around 10 December for most users, or it can be manually updated through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store at that time. Bluetooth tracing will be turned off by default, but app users will be asked if they want to enable it when they next open the app.
Click here for Bluetooth tracing FAQs
What is Taranaki DHB doing to manage COVID-19?
- Taranaki DHB continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health, local government agencies and community healthcare providers to ensure we are prepared for suspected and confirmed cases and to ensure urgent health care can still be provided.
- Representatives from hospital and community services, public health, primary health (GPs) and aged care facilities are keeping in regular contact to ensure we are prepared to escalate a Coordinated Incident Management Structure (CIMS).
- Staff have been trained on how to manage patients with COVID-19, and we have robust protocols and health pathways in place to address any COVID-19 cases or other infectious respiratory diseases.
- We have the right personal protective equipment (PPE) required for staff and they are aware of the correct procedures in dealing with COVID-19.
- Services have detailed plans and patient flow processes in place.
- We’re keeping the public and our stakeholders, up-to-date with any changes to local services via direct email, media releases, our website and Facebook and Instagram pages.
- We’re providing the opportunity for stakeholders and the public to ask questions specific about COVID-19 in Taranaki by emailing TDHBCovid.Enquiries@tdhb.org.nz