24/7 service tested by eight telehealth providers

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

Eight telehealth providers have been selected for the soft launch of the national 24/7 telehealth service this month, with the full service due to go-live in July.

eHealthNews understands the eight providers were chosen via a closed procurement process and more will be added in future phases.

The soft launch, which is now live, will test the functionality of the new service, which is designed to enable online appointments with GPs and nurse practitioners at any time of day, as well as provide care for people not enrolled with a GP.

Patients will be able to access the eight telehealth services 24/7 and the chosen providers will be able to claim subsidies for a wider number of patients than currently, including youth and those with a community service card.

The aim at Health NZ was to create a webpage with a list of approved providers, with patients then accessing appointments directly via the provider websites. 

Those familiar with the plans describe the ultimate goal as being to create a 'digital front door', with a range of appointments and prices at different providers made visible to patients to make their own choices.

Similar to other booking websites, patients would also eventually be able to provide star ratings.

The service is estimated to cost $164.6 million over five years including $143.5 million in operating costs and $21 million in capital.

It will be supported by a new shared digital health record (SDHR), due to go-live with a Minimum Viable Product at the end of June. This will enable telehealth clinicians to see basic health information, such as allergies and current medications, for the people they are seeing online.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora says the full launch of the 24/7 service will be supported by a publicity campaign in July.

Martin Hefford, Director Living Well, says the procurement process for this service is still progressing.

“We will update the primary care sector with next steps and timeframes once they are confirmed. The service is still on track to be launched later this year,” he told eHealthNews.

The most recent NZ Health Survey revealed that the number of adults unable to see their GP in a timely manner had increased to one in four and one in six avoided visiting their GP due to cost.

The government predicts up to 1 million New Zealanders may use the 24/7 service in a year.

Article updated on May 16, 2025

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