Acute Care walk-in clinics
Same-day help for health concerns that can’t wait
Tararua Health Group’s Acute Care walk-in clinics provide same-day care for urgent, non-life-threatening health concerns that cannot wait for a routine GP appointment.
With services available in Dannevirke and Pahiatua, Acute Care gives people across the Tararua community access to experienced urgent care closer to home, helping reduce the need to travel out of the district for care that can safely be managed locally.
When are the services open?
Dannevirke Community Hospital
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Pahiatua Medical Centre
Monday to Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No appointment is needed. Patients can walk in during opening hours.
Where are the clinics located?
Dannevirke
Dannevirke Community Hospital
Barraud Street
Dannevirke 4930
You can get directions to Dannevirke Community Hospital here.
Pahiatua
Pahiatua Medical Centre
2 Centre Street
Pahiatua 4910
Who can use this service?
Acute Care is open to everyone, including both enrolled and non-enrolled patients.
What makes this service different?
Acute Care is designed to provide same-day support for urgent health concerns that can safely be assessed and treated locally.
At Dannevirke Community Hospital, Acute Care is supported by experienced emergency and urgent care clinicians, including Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses with backgrounds in hospital emergency departments.
The Dannevirke service also has access to important onsite facilities, including:
- Onsite X-ray
- Medlab blood testing
- Casting services
- An emergency treatment room
- Clinical monitoring equipment
- Same-day observation when clinically appropriate
At Pahiatua Medical Centre, Acute Care helps improve access to same-day support for local patients and whānau, reducing the need to travel for urgent, non-life-threatening care that can be managed closer to home.
Frequently asked questions
Not sure whether Acute Care is the right service for you? The questions below explain what we can help with, when to seek emergency care, and what to expect when you arrive.
What types of conditions are treated?
You can visit for urgent, non-life-threatening issues such as:
- Injuries, including suspected broken bones, dislocations, wounds, burns, and minor head injuries
- Acute illness, including cold or flu symptoms, chest infections, sore throat, rashes, and conjunctivitis
- Ear, nose, and throat concerns, including ear pain and infections
- Skin concerns, including infections, rashes, wounds, and minor burns
- Unwell children, including fever, rashes, sore ears, vomiting, and tummy pain
- Breathing concerns that need prompt assessment
-
Sudden or concerning symptoms that need same-day clinical review
When should I call 111?
Please call 111 or go directly to the emergency department if you are experiencing:
- Chest pain
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Signs of a stroke, such as facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, sudden numbness, or sudden vision loss
- A major injury
- A life-threatening emergency
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are an emergency, it is safest to call 111.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Acute Care operates on a walk-in basis. You do not need to book ahead.
Who will I see when I arrive?
Every patient is assessed on arrival to determine the level of care needed. Depending on your condition and the clinic you attend, you may be seen by a nurse, a nurse practitioner, a paramedic, or an urgent care clinician.
Patients with more urgent clinical needs will be seen first.
Who leads the Acute Care service?
Dannevirke
The Dannevirke Acute Care service is led by Nurse Practitioner Amanda Hume, who has more than 20 years of experience in emergency and urgent care.
Pahiatua
The Pahiatua Acute Care service is led by Steven Marshall, an Intensive Care Paramedic with more than two decades of healthcare experience.
How long will I have to wait?
Wait times depend on clinical urgency, patient volume, and the complexity of the care being provided.
The Acute Care team aims to see patients as efficiently as possible, but patients with more urgent needs are always prioritised to keep everyone safe.
Do I still need to be enrolled with a GP?
You do not need to be enrolled with Tararua Health Group to use Acute Care, but this service is not designed to replace your regular GP.
It is important to remain enrolled with your regular general practice for ongoing, routine care, including long-term condition management, repeat prescriptions, test results, screening, and follow-ups.
If you do not currently have a GP, Tararua Health Group is welcoming new patients and would be happy to support your ongoing care. Enrolling with one of our practices helps ensure continuity of care and gives clinicians access to the right health information when you need support.
Is this service for routine appointments?
No. Acute Care is for acute medical needs only.
Routine appointments, long-term condition management, repeat prescriptions, or planned follow-ups should be booked with your regular GP or healthcare provider.
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