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.
The Marlborough Urgent Care Centre is located close to the Wairau Hospital emergency department and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes GPs, nurses and nurse practitioners.
Opening hours
The Marlborough Urgent Care Centre is open every day from 8am to 8pm.
Contact Marlborough Urgent Care Centre
Call 03 520 6377
Marlborough Urgent Care Centre (external link)
Contact information
Visiting hours
Wairau Hospital visiting hours are 2:30pm to 8pm, 7 days a week.
How to get to Wairau Hospital
Wairau Hospital is located on Hospital Road.
30 Hospital Road
Blenheim 7201
By car
The main entrance to Wairau Hospital is on Hospital Road.
Mobility parking spaces
Mobility parking spaces are available outside most main entrances, as marked on the Wairau Hospital map.
By bus
Bus Route 2: Redwoodtown-Witherlea (South Route) stops near the entrance to the hospital. The service runs 4 times a day Monday to Friday and 3 times a day on Saturday.
Bus Route 2: Redwoodtown-Witherlea (South Route) — Marlborough District Council (external link)
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:
- Blenheim
- Havelock
- Picton
- Renwick
- Seddon.
Find out about shuttle times in your area by calling St John on 0800 103 046 or going to their website.
Waka Ora Health Shuttles — St John (external link)
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.
Wairau Hospital map
Wairau Hospital facilities
There is a pharmacy for inpatients at Wairau Hospital. It is located near the reception area in the surgical ward.
Phone the pharmacy: 03 520 9918
The Wairau 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.
Blenheim pharmacies — Healthpoint (external link)
Flavours Café provides hot meals, snacks and drinks for staff and visitors.
The café is open:
- 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- 10am to 2pm, weekends
The café caters to dietary requirements, such as gluten-free and vegetarian meals.
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 Wairau 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.
Contact the Wairau 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 03 520 6479 or call or text on 022 342 4143
If you have been issued equipment and no longer need it, return to:
Rehabilitation Equipment Store
Wairau Hospital
Taylor Pass Road entrance
Blenheim 7201
Phone: 03 520 9927 — option 1
Hours: 8am to 2:30pm, 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
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.