Health NZ procures national booking solution for 24/7 digital primary care

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has started the procurement process for an ‘appointment viewing and booking solution’ to support its 24/7 digital primary care services.

The Registration of Interest (ROI) says the organisation is looking for vendors capable of creating an integrated booking platform that will provide a provide an “integrated, seamless and simple way of finding the right appointment”.

Health Minister Simeon Brown officially launched the 24/7 digital health service, rebranded Online GP Care, in July 2025 with eight telehealth providers; Bettr Online, CareHQ, Emergency Consult, The Doctors Online, MedOnline, Pocket Lab, Tend, and Practice Plus. 

eHealthNews reported in May that Health NZ’s goal was to create a 'digital front door' via a webpage with a range of appointments and prices at different providers made visible for patients to choose from and book directly. 

The launch of the minimum viable product includes a webpage with a list of approved providers, with patients then accessing appointments directly via those providers’ websites.  

However, the organisation has now outlined its vision in the ROI, saying the new booking solution will initially aggregate available appointments across the eight approved telehealth providers. 

“In later stages, the scope of the booking solution may be extended to include book-on-behalf functionality (for assisted booking), more advanced search options, viewing own GPs appointments, seamless access across healthcare providers and directly making and managing appointment bookings including notifications and reminders,” it says.

The system must be mobile-friendly, interoperable, and secure, integrating with existing practice management systems and meeting national data standards.

The ROI says a new national health target is being developed in partnership with the primary care sector, aiming for over 80 percent of people to be able to see a primary care provider within one week, and that this target is expected to take effect from 1 July 2026.

The government has budgeted $164.6 million over five years for the Online GP Care service, including $143.5m in operating costs and $21m in capital.

Registrations close on 26 September 2025. Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to a full Request for Proposal later this year, with a contract expected to start in early 2026.

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