On this page
- Nelson Hospital emergency department (ED)
- After hours and urgent medical centres
- Contact information
- Visiting hours
- How to get to Nelson Hospital
- Parking information
- Nelson Hospital map
- Nelson Hospital services
- Nelson Hospital facilities
- Information for your hospital visit
- Your stay in hospital
- Feedback
After hours and urgent medical centres
If your health emergency is not life threatening, but you cannot wait for an appointment with your usual doctor or healthcare provider, go to an after hours or urgent medical centre. They can help you with things like bad cuts, sprains or breaks, minor head injuries, or if you are feeling really sick. You do not need an appointment but might have to wait.
Nelson Medical and Injury Centre is located at 98 Waimea Road near the Nelson Hospital emergency department.
Opening hours
Nelson Medical and Injury Centre is open every day from 8am to 10pm.
Contact Nelson Medical and Injury Centre
Phone: 03 546 8881
If you need after hours or urgent medical care in Motueka, go to Greenwood Health or The Doctors. If it is outside their opening hours, call them to speak with a registered nurse.
Greenwood Health
20 Greenwood Street
Motueka 7120
Phone: 03 528 8866
Greenwood Health
Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays).
The Doctors
27 Wallace Street
Motueka 7120
Phone: 03 528 8358
The Doctors Motueka
Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays).
Contact information
Visiting hours
Nelson Hospital visiting hours are 2:30pm to 8pm, 7 days a week.
How to get to Nelson Hospital
The main entrance to Nelson Hospital is on Tipahi Street.
Nelson Hospital
Tipahi Street
Nelson 7010
The Braemar Campus is accessed from either Waimea Road or Franklyn Street.
By bus
These bus services stop at the Nelson Hospital Interchange on Waimea Road:
- Route 1: Richmond to Nelson via Waimea Road
- Route 3: Atawhai to Hospital
- Route 5: Motueka to Nelson
- Route 6: Wakefield to Nelson
Route 3 also stops on Motueka Street and Franklyn Street, closer to the main entrance.
Routes 1 and 3 run regularly 7 days a week. Express routes 5 and 6 run on a limited schedule Monday to Friday.
By St John's health shuttle
St John's Waka Ora health shuttles help people get to health and wellbeing related appointments and home again. Their shuttles are available in the following areas:
- Atawhai
- Brightwater
- Nelson
- Richmond
- Stoke.
Find out about shuttle times in your area by calling St John on 0800 103 046 or going to their website.
By the Marlborough to Nelson shuttle
The Marlborough Sounds Community Vehicle Trust runs an on-demand service taking passengers to and from medical appointments in Nelson.
The shuttle can pick you up from:
- Blenheim
- Picton
- Renwick
- anywhere on Queen Charlotte Drive
- anywhere on State Highway 6.
The shuttle may also be able to assist returning Marlborough patients discharged from Nelson Hospital, subject to notice.
Transfers and transport between hospitals
People who live in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions may be treated at either Nelson Hospital or Wairau Hospital in Blenheim.
People who live in Nelson may be offered treatment at Wairau – an earlier appointment than they would be able to get at Nelson.
People who live in Marlborough may need to travel to Nelson Hospital to receive specialist care that isn't available at Wairau.
People who travel between hospitals in this way, and who are Community Services Card holders, may be eligible for financial assistance for travel and accommodation.
National Travel Assistance
The National Travel Assistance Scheme helps people who need to travel long distances or travel frequently for health appointments.
Parking information
The main car park for Nelson Hospital is accessible from the hospital's main entrance on Tipahi Street. There is also a car park accessible from Franklyn Street.
There is public parking at the Braemar campus on Waimea Road.
Mobility parking spaces
Mobility parking spaces are available outside most main entrances. These parks are clearly marked on the Nelson Hospital map.
Nelson Hospital shuttle buggy
The Nelson Hospital shuttle buggy is a free service providing all-weather transport for patients and visitors from car parks to the main hospital entrances.
Buggy stops are marked on the Nelson Hospital map.
To request a buggy, call 03 546 1800
Nelson Hospital map
Nelson Hospital facilities
Pharmacy
The pharmacy at Nelson Hospital is located in the Percy Brunette Building, Level 6.
Phone: 03 546 1989
The Nelson Hospital pharmacy is an inpatient dispensary. Pharmacists do not dispense outpatient prescriptions, except for a restricted range of medicines that are not normally available from a community pharmacy.
If you are not an inpatient, find a pharmacy near you on Healthpoint.
Hospital café
Nelson Hospital has a café providing hot meals, snacks and drinks for staff and visitors.
The café is open:
- 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- 8am to 3pm, weekends
The café caters to dietary requirements, such as gluten-free and vegetarian meals.
Visitor accommodation
Altrusa House offers short-term accommodation for people who do not live in Nelson and who are in the region to support someone in hospital.
Located on the Nelson Hospital campus, Altrusa House is run by a trust and is a registered charity. To maintain the home, the trust charges $40-$50 per night for a room. Limited car parking, linen, cleaning and basic food provisions are supplied.
The house is not suitable for babies or toddlers. Pets are not allowed.
The Altrusa House brochure includes information about:
- criteria for bookings
- how to arrange accommodation
- visitor rules
- how to make a donation to the Altrusa House Trust.
Inquiries about room availability can be made at the Nelson Hospital reception desk on the ground floor near the main entrance. After-hours, when the desk is not staffed, please phone the hospital on 03 546 1800
Spiritual services
Hospital chaplains are specifically trained for hospital ministry and visit the wards each day. They are available to staff, patients and whānau and are an integral part of the healthcare team.
The chaplain's role is to support a person facing challenging life issues that are having an impact on their sense of well-being.
Hospital chaplains offer:
- time to listen
- friendship
- encouragement
- guidance
- prayer
- bedside communion
- anointing
- formal services for baptisms, weddings, celebrations and funerals.
Chapel and communion
The Nelson Hospital chapel is always open for rest, peace, quiet and worship. It offers an inclusive religious and cultural space that welcomes everyone of all faiths or none.
Bedside communions are available on Sundays between 10am and 11:15am and there is hymn singing in the AT&R lounge at 11:15am.
Contact the Nelson Hospital chaplain
Patients and relatives can request a nurse to call for a chaplain. Referrals are welcome from the community.
You can also call the chaplain direct on 03 546 1818 or call the main Nelson Hospital number 03 546 1800 and ask for the chaplain on call.
Equipment returns
If you have been issued equipment and no longer need it, return to:
Allied Health Equipment Store
Nelson Hospital — Braemar Campus
Motueka Street
Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 546 1394
Hours: 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
We can also collect certain items if necessary.
Examples of equipment include:
- crutches
- wheelchairs
- bedside commodes
- shower stools.
Information for your hospital visit
Appointment times
All clients are given timed appointments. It is important that you adhere to this time to ensure that the pool sessions run efficiently and that we meet health and safety requirements.
You will be in the pool for approximately 20 minutes. You will need to allow additional time for changing before and after the session.
Arriving for a hydrotherapy session
If the session has not started, take a seat in the waiting area outside the pool until the physiotherapist arrives.
What to wear
Wear comfortable swimming togs and bring your own towel. If you do not have togs, tell your therapist.
Shower before getting into the pool.
Hydrotherapy exercises
Your physiotherapist will develop an exercise programme that you should stick to in order to ensure the best result.
After a hydrotherapy session
- have a drink of water
- shower to remove chlorine, if you wish.
Storing valuables
Do not leave valuables in the change room. Take them to the supervisor, or place in the locker provided.
Attendance policy
There is a strict attendance policy at the pool. If you miss 2 appointments your time slot may be allocated to others on the waiting list.
Things to remember
- Let staff know if you feel faint.
- Do not enter the pool after consuming alcohol.
- There are lockers for belongings and valuables.
- Only enter the pool when instructed.
- We recommend you have a drink of water after being in the pool and spend 10 minutes cooling down.
- There is no smoking on hospital grounds.
Precautions
Do not use the pool if you have:
- been sick (vomited) or had runny poos (diarrhoea) within the last 10 days — you must be symptom-free for at least 48 hours
- skin infection
- open wounds or sores
- athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
- incontinence of wees or poos
- severe peripheral arterial disease
- chest infection or any cold or flu-like symptoms
- severe epilepsy
- chlorine sensitivity
- fever
- heart (cardiac) instability.
Perform the exercises as directed and if you have any concerns contact your healthcare provider. Do not change or modify any exercises without seeking advice. Speak to your physiotherapist if you are unsure.
What to do on arrival
Go to the Allied Health reception desk where your name and details will be taken. You will be asked to take a seat in the waiting area. All clients are given timed appointments.
Appointment duration
Your first appointment may last up to an hour. The physiotherapist will discuss your health with you and together you will set some treatment goals, discuss treatment options and self-management advice. Follow-up appointments of up to 30 minutes may be required.
Tell your physiotherapist if you are pregnant or have had a pacemaker fitted.
You are welcome to bring a support person or whānau.
The department will try to meet your cultural needs and interpreters are available if necessary.
Clothing recommendations
Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes and be prepared to undress so that the physiotherapist can examine you.
Depending on the injury or condition it might be a good idea to wear a pair of shorts and a vest or singlet top.
You will be examined in a private cubicle.
What else to bring
Bring a list of the current medications you are taking and copies of any other relevant investigations or tests. This can help with planning your treatment and care.
It is also essential that you inform the physiotherapist if you are receiving treatment from another healthcare provider.
Physiotherapy students
The department often supervises the teaching and professional development of students. We will ask for your consent before any assessment is made by a student.
If you need to cancel your appointment
Provide as much notice as possible if you need to change your appointment. This way, we can offer your appointment time to another patient.
Crutches and walking aids
The physiotherapy department will provide the appropriate type of walking aid for you. You will be assessed by a physiotherapist first.
Costs
There are no charges for our physiotherapy services. But if additional equipment or garments are required, you may need to pay for them. Your therapist will discuss this with you.
Problems after discharge
If you have any related health problems after you stop attending the department for treatment, contact your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116
These videos talk you through preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery.
- What you can do to prepare yourself at home prior to surgery (such as exercises).
- What to expect during and after surgery, as well as on discharge and follow-up.
- Demonstrating how to use stairs and crutches.
- The role of staff and yourself in this process.