CareHQ celebrates five years of transforming primary healthcare in New Zealand

SECTOR UPDATE - CareHQ

Virtual general practice CareHQ marks its five-year anniversary this month (November), celebrating a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and unwavering support for primary healthcare across the country.

Since its inception, CareHQ has delivered over 170,000 consults, including more than 70,000 in the past year alone, providing accessible, high-quality care to tens of thousands of New Zealanders.

At the heart of CareHQ’s mission is a commitment to strengthening and complementing the work of general practices. As CEO Brett Butler explains, “Our patients are seen by expert doctors who are Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP), ensuring the highest standards of care.

“We’re proud that CareHQ does not enrol patients or claw back capitation, so enrolling general practices are not charged for CareHQ visits. This means we work alongside practices, not in competition with them. CareHQ’s Practice Nurse team plays a vital role in supporting unenrolled patients, actively assisting them to find a physical practice for ongoing care,” says Butler. 

Butler says CareHQ GPs are embracing new technologies such as digital scribe services. 

“To allow our GPs to focus on the patient, not the notes, we are funding Heidi for our entire clinical team. Heidi transcribes the consultation, and robust, clinically checked notes are then securely passed to the patient’s own GP, reflecting our ongoing collaboration with general practices to strengthen continuity of care.”

Access to CareHQ is designed to be as simple as possible. Patients can book appointments via ManageMyHealth and MyIndici apps when their practice is closed, ensuring help is always at hand. Practices can also book overflow appointments directly through CareHQ, so if a GP is away, their patients can still be seen on the day.

CareHQ’s commitment to equity and collaboration is reflected in its partnerships and accreditations. 

“We’re proud to be an accredited Te Whatu Ora provider since July 2025, offering subsidised consults to eligible patients,” says Butler. “Our partnership with Asthma New Zealand is helping unenrolled patients in the Rotorua region access the care they need, and our collaboration with Whakarongorau (Healthline) means their teams can book a CareHQ GP directly on a patient’s behalf, passing through information for truly connected care.”

CareHQ is also dedicated to supporting GPs and keeping them in the workforce. 

“We know that flexibility is key,” says Butler. “Our model allows NZ Registered Fellows living or travelling overseas to continue supporting New Zealand patients, rather than being lost to the system. GPs with young families can choose shifts that suit their lifestyle, promoting work-life balance and retention in the profession. 

Reflecting on CareHQ’s five year journey, Butler concludes: “Five years ago, we set out to make high-quality healthcare accessible to all New Zealanders, wherever they are. Today, CareHQ stands as a testament to what can be achieved through innovation, collaboration, and a focus on delivering the right care for each patient, every time. We are proud to support general practices, empower GPs, and deliver care that makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

Source: CareHQ media release

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