Health Centre

Ara’s Health Centre offers a range of discounted health services for students*. These include consultations with nurses, a doctor, a social worker and counsellors. Students can access three free counselling sessions a year. We take Community Service cards** and offer ACC appointments.

All services are available at the City campus, while nurse consultations are available at the Woolston campus on Wednesdays and Fridays, and counselling is available at the Timaru campus by appointment. The social worker is available at the Woolston campus on Tuesdays and at the city campus the rest of the week.

If you’re a New Zealand resident enrolled at the Health Centre, you can receive cheaper doctor visits and reduced costs for prescription medicines.

To register/make an appointment

You need to register to use the Health Centre’s services. Simply visit the Health Centre to complete an enrolment form (bring your Student/Staff ID card, or a course receipt). To book an appointment, either visit the centre or call us.

*Ara staff are welcome to see the Health Centre doctor on a casual basis, however students have priority for appointments. Occasionally we may have to reallocate a staff appointment to a student. In these situations we refer staff to their own GP or another medical centre (e.g. Moorhouse Clinic).

** You may be eligible for Community Services Card for discounted general practitioner services. You can find out more by calling 0800 999 999, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Our Team 

	Susan Woods Health Centre Manager/ Registered nurse		Lisa Richards Registered nurse
	Charlotte Bridgman-Smith Registered nurse		Quin Tang Counsellor
	Lynda Clegg  Counsellor		Dr James Shanks GP
	Vicki Garner Administrator		Dr Penny Rice-Wilson GP
	Diana Syme Administrator		Rimi Ellis Administrator
	Emily Pipe Registered Social Worker		Leigh Lawless* Counsellor

*Leigh works at the Timaru campus in Room TA208.

Ara Social Worker

Fees

Prices are subject to change

+Conditions apply, please discuss with the receptionist on booking.

Discounted dental services

Sydenham Dental Centre offers current Ara students dental check-ups for $35 and 10% off the cost of treatments such as fillings, extractions and emergency pain relief. You can find out more and make an appointment here.

Physiotherapy Service

Ara staff and students are able to receive discounted physiotherapy at the School of Physiotherapy Clinic, Christchurch.

This is a teaching facility run as a private musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice and is open to the public.

The clinic is located at 32 Oxford Terrace (Tuam street entrance) approx. 100m from the Manawa building.

You also have the option to be treated by fully supervised Otago University Physiotherapy students at a further reduced rate. Click here for further information.

Key resources

• 1737 - Need to Talk?
• Healthline | Ministry of Health NZ
• Pegasus Health - 24 Hour Surgery