Health NZ has enhanced its national Online GP Care service with a new digital platform allowing people to compare providers, appointment options and pricing before connecting with an available online GP.
The platform, powered by Valentia Technologies’ OctansCare technology, is part of Health NZ’s push to make it easier for people to access primary care when they cannot see their usual GP, need care after hours, are travelling or cannot secure a timely appointment.
Health NZ Acting Director Community and Primary Care Funding Martin Hefford said the recent changes were designed to make it easier for patients to find an appropriate online provider.
“For patients, the recent improvements mean they can more easily compare providers, appointment options and pricing, and connect with available care when their GP is not available,” Mr Hefford said.
Online GP Care was launched nationally in May 2025 and has since provided more than 115,000 consultations to almost 86,000 people.
Health NZ said 85,784 people had used the service, resulting in 115,426 consultations.
The renewed platform was delivered through an arrangement involving Health NZ as the commissioning organisation, Valentia Technologies as the technology provider and Whakarongorau Aotearoa as the delivery and coordination partner.
Valentia’s OctansCare platform provides the digital front door for the service and can be configured for different healthcare services and workflows.
Valentia Technologies Executive Lead Malik Rizwan said the technology was designed to allow healthcare organisations to create digital access pathways suited to their own services rather than adopting a standard model.
“Health services and the communities they support have different needs. A digital front door should reflect those differences rather than forcing every provider into the same model,” Mr Rizwan said.
“OctansCare gives healthcare organisations the flexibility to create digital access pathways that fit their services, while making it easier for people to find and connect with appropriate care. We are proud that our platform is supporting this important national initiative.”
The changes come as Health NZ expands access to online GP consultations beyond people using the service from their own homes.
A $3 million investment is supporting pharmacies, rural health providers and other community organisations to establish private consultation spaces and technology allowing people to connect with an online GP.
As of July, 245 pharmacies and 56 rural and urgent care providers had signed up to establish the facilities.
Health NZ said the approach was intended to improve access for people who did not have a suitable device or internet connection, were not enrolled with a GP or faced other barriers to accessing primary care.
People using the service through a participating pharmacy may also be able to have an online consultation and collect prescribed medicines during the same visit.
Mr Rizwan said connecting digital healthcare with existing services was important to improving access.
“Digital healthcare works best when technology connects people, healthcare providers and established community services rather than operating as a standalone channel,” he said.
“This collaboration demonstrates how a flexible technology platform, effective service coordination and strong community partnerships can work together to make healthcare easier to access.”
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