COVID-19 assessment and testing

If you require immediate or urgent help, do not hesitate to seek medical care by calling 111 for an ambulance or attending your nearest hospital emergency department. Let staff know as soon as possible that you are concerned that you may have symptoms associated with COVID-19.

If you are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms and are concerned about your risk of COVID-19 please ring Healthline (0800 358 5453) - they will tell you if a swab is needed and what to do next.

All GPs are able to provide assessment and testing – please phone your practice before attending.
Please do not turn up to your GP without an appointment.
After hours you can be seen at one of Hamilton’s Urgent Care Clinics.
Anglesea Urgent Care is open 24 hours a day.

COVID-19 Testing Centres Please note: No appointment is needed Be prepared to wait and do not get out of the car (staff will assist you in your car) Please be kind to staff
Founders Theatre Carpark Entrance off Norton Road. 10am- 6pm, 7 days a week.

Designated General Practices Please ring them first to make an appointment. These general practices will take people who don’t have a regular doctor they go to and are not enrolled at a general practice.

Avalon Medical Centre 07 846 0082 6 Avalon Drive, Nawton, Hamilton	Monday - Friday 10am - 3pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Cambridge Family Health 07 827 4234 2 Oliver Street, Cambridge	Monday - Friday 12pm to 2pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment.
Glenview Medical Centre 07 843 4429 1 Urlich Ave, Melville, Hamilton	Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Hamilton Lake Clinic 07 839 0092 31 Pembroke Street, Hamilton	Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, 10am - 3pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Health Te Aroha 07 8848 053 28 Church Street , Te Aroha	Monday - Friday 9am to 3pm. Ideal to have referring practices give notice, or patients to call in advance.
Matamata Medical Centre 07 881 9102 56 Rawhiti Avenue, Matamata	Monday - Friday 9am to 3.30pm. All patients to call the clinic after 10am and make an appointment in advance.
Mercury Bay Medical Centre 07 866 5911 87 Albert St, Whitianga www.mbmc.co.nz	All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Paeroa Medical Centre 07 862 8755 4 Queen Street, Paeroa	Monday - Friday 9am to 12pm, Saturday 9 to 11am. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Raglan Medical Centre 07 825 0114 9 Wallis Street, Raglan	All patients to call the clinic to make a booking in advance.
Rototuna Family Health 07 853 6586 240 Thomas Road, Rototuna, Hamilton	Monday - Friday 7am to 4pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Te Kauwhata Medical Centre 07 826 3499 12 Main Road, Te Kauwhata	All patients to call the clinic to make a booking in advance.
Te Kohao Health 0800 4 TEKOHAO (8356426) 951 Wairere Drive, Hamilton	Ideal to have referring practices give notice, or patients to call in advance.
Te Korowai O Hauora Thames 0508 835 676 210 Richmond Street, Thames	Monday - Friday 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 4pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Te Kuiti Medical Centre 07 878 7878 28 Ailsa Street, Te Kuiti	Ideal to have referring practices give notice, or patients to call in advance
Tokoroa Medical Centre 07 886 8777 57-75 Maraetai Road, Tokoroa	Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Tui Medical Te Rapa 0800 175 175 26 Bryant Road, Te Rapa, Hamilton	7 days a week, 9am - 3pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Whangamata Medical Centre 07 865 8032 103 Lincoln Rd, Whangamata	Monday - Friday 1pm to 5pm. All patients to call the clinic and make an appointment in advance.
Symptoms: a new or worsening cough fever (at least 38˚C) shortness of breath a sore throat sneezing and runny nose temporary loss of smell Under the new testing strategy, anyone presenting to primary or secondary care with clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be tested, with priority given to those who meet a new higher index of suspicion (HIS) criteria. For more about HIS information visit the Ministry of Health’s website. For more about COVID-19 assessment and testing visit The Ministry of Health’s website.

Is assessment and testing for COVID-19 free of charge?

Yes

Do I need to wear a mask?

If you need to travel to see a health professional, a face mask should be worn. For example, people with symptoms of COVID-19 who are asked to undertake a test should wear a face mask during their travel to the appropriate testing facility.

For current advice visit the Ministy of Health website.

When will my results be available?

Test results from swabs are generally available within 2-5 days from your GP

If positive, the Waikato Public Health Unit will notify you, and work with you to manage your health.

How is swabbing done?

You will be greeted by healthcare staff wearing personal protective equipment.

At the drive-thru/walk-thru centre, you will be asked COVID-19 screening questions to work out if a swab is needed (this can be done over the phone by Healthline). A swab may be done in a dedicated testing space by staff or from inside your car.

If you visit your General Practitioner, they may be operating slightly differently and be using green / yellow / red zones to streamline and manage people with or without respiratory symptoms. This helps protect patients and staff from respiratory infections.

What happens if I get tested?

If you meet the Ministry of Health’s Higher Index of suspicion (HIS) – you will be asked to self-isolate.

If you are swabbed for cold or flu like symptoms, you may be required to self-isolate, but you should not go to work if you are sick to prevent spreading your infection to others.

I don’t have symptoms but I believe I have been in contact with someone who has, can I get tested?

The test results are much less reliable when testing is done in people who do not have symptoms. A medical professional either at Healthline or at the centre can determine whether you need testing, based on the information you provide. Only attend the centre if you have symptoms.

For general guidance on COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has good information and resources for you to stay safe: www.COVID19.govt.nz