I felt too whakamā to go to the doctor

I had taken my 6 year old daughter to the after hours dr after she had been having fevers and coughing for a week, we were told her chest was…

The medical system of our country is disgusting. Our medical personnel who choose to remain in our country are over worked. It is "normalised" to have a waiting period to…

I was worried about my sexual health and couldn’t go to the doctor. I was uncomfortable down below and embarrassed. I took to using supermarket antibacterial soap and cream, in…

Lived for 2 years in New Zealand and got a series of heavy bowel flare ups that caused me to sweat due to massive pain and have a week of…

I almost didn't go to the doctor and it would've cost me my life. I'd been let down so many times in the past and often not taken seriously when…

I am a 59 yr old woman with type 2 diabetes which I managed with diet and exercise, earlier this year I went to my doctor as I had high…

all my life, every time I told my family I felt sick I was told to be quiet and stop being a hypochondriac, it got to the point I wouldn't…

I get very frustrated that it takes 6 weeks to see a doctor! When you do they often run late and to be honest I do not feel I am…

My hearing has got worse and even with my hearing aids on I can't hear through masks. Last time I went I was made to feel like I was the…

I don’t go to doctor because a. I have to book in for weeks in advance b. One blood test every 12 months is not indicative of a ‘trend’ c.…

I was referred to follow up care at a different hospital to the one I had hand surgery at. Although clearly unhappy with what they saw, the follow up specialist…

They always make my illnesses about my weight, so I never go. Sore arm? Lose weight. Rash? Lose weight? Headaches? Lose weight? Postnatal issues? Lose weight.

I have a host of chronic conditions pcos, fibromyalgia and ibs that all cause varying issues and symptoms. I read up a lot on ways to manage them and take…

I've had long covid for 2 1/4 years, with a whole range of quite severe symptoms affecting my entire set of body systems. Not being able to function withmajor headaches…

My GP during 2019 told me they “often sat here and visualised killing me”. The GP repeated themselves when I asked if I’d heard right. My formal HDC complaint was…

What if you went to the doctor? But wasn't told about blood test results identifying a defect. A defect that should have been relayed at the earliest possible moment. At…

Sharing on behalf of my mum. She suffers from hydrocephalus and has had to have her shunt replaced in 2021 after it only being placed originally in 2019. She has…

I’m 34yrs old, and I suffer from pcos and endometriosis. For a good 5 plus years I was constantly in and out of the emergency room with the most excruciating…

I am mostly bedridden with a degenerative systemic autoimmune disease and usually do phone appointments with my doctors.There have been many times where I've almost died, from blood clots, pneumonia,…

Well what can i say.,.moved to [small town name redacted] in 2021 from the [region name redacted] thought the move would be great to small town- yes it is but…

Chronic pain in all joints for years. Particularly one knee and hip. I'd talked to a doctor about it in my 20s and was told to lose weight. I knew…

Yes pay for each A&E. And with the current cutbacks the Doctors are proposed to go to $50. I feel this will discourage those who are already feel the pinch.…

When my baby was 6 weeks old, I was asked to fill in the postnatal depression survey. Because a family member was with me, I felt I couldn’t be honest…

It was 2020 and we were about to go into our first lock down, I was pregnant with our first child. I’d been having pretty significant pain under my ribs…

I have been having dizzy spells, have fainted a couple of times, and have massive headaches whenever I try to have sex. I cannot afford to pay for the doctor…

I have had serious chest pains for months along with fainting, a racing heart rate, pain down one arm, pain under the collar bone. I ended up in the hospital…

I didn't go because I couldn't afford it.

I was having problems with my menstrual cycle and was really worried about talking to male Doctors at the medical Centre about it, but knew I had to. When I…

My cousin gave up alcohol after decades of alcohol and drug excess. She gave it up because the doctors saud if she didnt she would die a severe and painfull…

I went to the [medical centre name redacted] doctors because i could hear a rattle in my chest and I was feeling unwell in my late 20's. I thought I…

When I was 16 I tried to have penetrative vaginal sex for the first time. I was with my boyfriend in a very trusting relationship. Unfortunately it didn't work and…

When I was 23 , I stopped visiting doctors for over 19 years neglected my health due to the lack of trust and trauma it had caused upon myself in…

When I was in my early 20's I got impetigo on my legs but didn't go-to the doctor because it was too expensive even tho I made more than minimum…

I feel traumatised from many doctors visits over the years and as a parent. The racism and misogyny I have experienced as a wahine Māori is disgraceful. The misconceptions, outright…

I have a leg issue caused Lipoedema which many doctors don’t know about/understand. Makes our legs very fat/fluid filled/unshapely. I went to a Vascular Surgeon to get diagnosed who said…

I don't know if this falls under your preview, but here goes. In August of last year I found a lump under my arm. I saw a doctor who couldn't…

I have a child with a rare disorder, because the child has so many appointments and has lots of interaction with medical professionals and it is one that has an…

Every time I have to see another GP (other than my usual one) I experience extreme medical gaslighting which is traumatic and leaves me worse off than before I sought…

I should go to the Docter more often however I can't get an appointment when I really need it. And the online appointments are not suitable for me. Funding has…

It's going take 3 weeks before my doctor can even see me. And I will just end up with a lecture - you need to loss weight. I also need…

My maori son had Strep Throat. I took him to the Doctor when he presented at home with his tell tale scarlet fever cheeks to be told I was a…

I have been fobbed off my whole life. Whether it is my mental health or my physical health or a referral to a specialist. I am a woman, so everything…

After two years of incapacitating headaches, I finally went to the doctor, with my husband as an advocate. The male doctor took 10 seconds to tell me that I was…

I wanted my four week only sons Lungs and chest to be checked I was told by the nurse there was no GP there today and go to urgent care…

Two of the receptionists at the medical centre I am a patient at are rude and come across as if it is a hassle when I contact them for any…

Every time I went to the dr he talked about my weight regardless of the purpose of the appointment. He also called me a drug addict for using 5 sleeping…

This past month has been a nightmare. On July 6th my husband was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer at hospital. We went to the hospital as his back was in pain…

I've broken my ring finger at the top knuckle, its been over a month and it drives crazy - but I a solo mum with 4 kids and work multiple…

I live in a small town, and can't get a GP appointment unless I book FIVE WEEKS out. I'm one of the lucky ones though: heaps of people can't even…

In 2004 I had daughter In December. At the age of 5months I noticed she was getting sick took her to her gp who diagnosed her with a ear infection…

Recovering addict here and at the beginning of my journey going into the doc to get help was embarrassing. Couldn't prescribe me anything for nightmares anxiety and basically said he…

I have been having bowel problems for years and my doctor kept telling me I had IBS and giving me laxatives and refused to send me to have a colonoscopy…

My daughter (22) for years had been going to the doctors with woman's problems, she kept getting told it's all part of being a woman and basically live with it.…

A couple of weeks ago, my kids were down with flu and having high temperature aside form cough and body sore. my wife and I tried to book for a…

My general practice has not once diagnosed me correctly and often refers me to ED because they are too busy to see me. I have now lived with daily abdominal…

I dont go to the drs unless I absolutely have to. I have had so many instances where I felt like I wasn't listened to, misdiagnosed or made to feel…

My husband was sick & dying after two botched surgeries. He then went for corrective surgery & had been told by his job, we can’t employ you anymore. We took…

I very rarely get sick but when I get a cold or flu as I have genetic AF Atrial Fibrillation I need to access a Dr in order for my…

Endured abuse as a child. Suffer PTSD and GAD. The overpowering dictatorial manner of some medical professionals causes stress and harm. I need inclusion not being dictated, ordered or controlled…

How can any doctor make thorough and sufficient exam in 15minutes? For anyone with multiple issues or co morbidities it can feel shameful going back time and again to ask…

What scares me most is the amount of blatant misdiagnoses I’ve heard of in our local practise alone specifically terminal illness that could have been prevented if gps listened to…

Being mid 20s and having dealt with a myriad of reproductive health issues I’m yet to bring up getting a referral for gynae because I don’t fit the profile for…

After my first Covid vax (2021) within 3 days experienced heart palpitations, skipped beats and heart rate that would hit the roof without any direct cause, as well as severe…

As a young woman smears were never something I looked forward to doing. Every time I would go the nurse would bombard me with contraception advice and information. I'd be…

I thought I was doing the right thing taking my daughter (10months) to the A&E after she flipped her walker while I was hanging the washing right next to her.…

[social services project name redacted] came to my house during the pandemic to give me my second vaccine against my will and consent because I had said no to my…

After 7 months of seeing my gastro surgeon and routine blood tests I had been having stomach pain for quite some time and put it down to my colitis, I…

I am a mum of a quirky kid and we let her be creative with her hair and style . I took her too the doctor and the doctor asked…

I don't go as I know they were told they would lose their practicing certificate if they didn't push the jab. So now I have lost total trust they will…

Kia ora. I had had bad experiences before with doctors and a&e specifically. I was scared that they would dismiss me, say I’m drug seeking or that it’s all in…

I need some regular medications, but can't get refills, so I have to get an appointment to spend more money, to get the thing they already know I need. I…

Sometimes with my health as i have a chronic illness i choose to stay at home and deal with the pain instead of going to emergency to get it treated.…

After I had my first child I was getting sick all the time. I'd go to the doctor and be instantly prescribed antibiotics. Then another month would pass and I'd…

Went to the doctor to ask for standard bloody tests after a series of sicknesses and wanted to have all my standard levels checked. Nothing major, just wanted to get…

Our local Dr was very dismissive when I had a prolapse she told me to not worry and go home see what happens nothing she could do she said she…

I guess I just thought I could fix my health myself, so kept delaying and delaying actually going to a doctor. Then as I got worse I didn’t realise the…

It all begin for me when I had a spinal injury last year (2023). They decided to discharged me on the day and I still keep getting treated until recently…

I get anxious with anything medical related and this can stop me from getting help when I need it. The times I have felt more comfortable are when the medical…

I am hesitant about going to my GP unless it's absolutely vital because I don't want to be a burden on the system or waste valuable resources.

I had a very unwell 3 year old who had 39+ temperatures, cough and no appetite for over a week. Week two, he was not improving and was very weak.…

Money is the reason I won't go to the Dr or wait until I have no choice. Its $75 an adult without a community service card. They have a rotation…

I was a first time mum going through post-partum depression, which I didn't realize I had at the time. I was struggling with my 1 month old baby, who was…

I didn't want to tell my Dr about the mental health issues I faced after I left a really bad relationship. I was triggered by everything and when I did…

It had been awhile since I went for a pap smear. I was well over due but I went anyway. I was worried they would lecture me(I understand why) and…

I didn't want to go to the Doctor and have them judge me because of my use of cannabis. I was scared they would ring Oranga tamariki on me and…

I lost trust in allopathic doctors after being poisoned for years on their drugs, some of which were highly addictive. They are just legal drug dealers. NEVER have I been…

I have anxiety but I have found it hard to be taken seriously. All resources I've found for myself. I went to a GP and told him I was feeling…

Below is a comment I posted on the Facebook page that referred me to this post your experiences website but there are countless more experiences or even my special needs…

I eventually plucked up the courage to tell my doctor that after having a child I had lost all sex drive and couldn't even stand my husband touching me. The…

After I gave birth to my son periods were very heavy and painful after 8 months I went to the doctor as I was explaining the situation he Said eww…

I was told by a pakeha doctor that as a result of colonization Māori wahine were not embracing and understanding their ikura...

Mum needed about appointment and was told 3 week wait. She had been 10days prior and if still unwell to go back so advised of this and after some push…

Went to doctor to discuss some skin issues and told no point trying to determine reason for it and when asked if menopause may be contributing factor and wanting to…

I would never trust any soo called health professional after covid , their only interest is pushing their poisonous vaccines & drugs for the pharma cartels.

Everytime I go I get a different doctor and the wait time is ridiculous I work in the veterinary industry and if we made people wait as long as they…

On two occasions I can think of, I didn’t go to the doctor because of lack of transport. Once when I had just started studying at a small rural college…

I would love to see the specialist doctor at my small town Hospital [name of hospital redacted] however I have been waiting since I had my scan in September 2023.…

I lived in a small town where there was no GPs taking enrolments and due to low income was left unable to see a doctor, despite complex health issues. this…

I was having multiple eye irritations including sty’s. I finally saved up to go to the dr and was then asked if I knew about historic Maori trauma and how…

I visited my doctor for a concerning issue just over a year ago that is very bothersome to me and has gradually become worse, but which has not been resolved…

I was itchy all over. On my skin, under my skin, on my insides. I was starting to scratch myself raw but nothing would take the itching away. A Dr…

I never feel heard- It took almost 20 years and over 10 different doctors for one (male) to finally take me seriously. Got my endometriosis diagnosis at age 34.

I lost trust in Doctors years ago when my symptoms were treated rather than any interest in getting to the root cause of the problem. Then the Covid era ruined…

I can't see my GP about anything related to my pelvic health due to sexual violence. I cannot remember the last time I had a smear test.

Kia ora when I was I'm guessing 8 or 9years old I went to watch netball and saw some older kids playing around with a rope that was tied from…

The wait time to see your doctor is to long so I don’t bother

I'd had a leg injury after my dog ran into the side of me. Thought it would come right and after 5 weeks I went to Dr as it was…

A few years ago I found a lump in my breast. I didn’t have a regular GP as mine had left. I ended up going to 3 GPs and none…

I had a few unnerving experiences at my doctors. First when getting stitches removed I was asked if it’s okay if she used her nails as she left the tweezers…

After many health appointments, I started vomiting blood one day. But I was too mentally exhausted to see a doctor. I didn't want to have to find an available appointment…

2c stories: I went in to see the doctor because my hernia was always sore. She said it didn't feel like it's protruding anymore than it had been but gave…

In face of cuts to whatever is left of universal healthcare. What stopped me from going in the past and sometimes even now is literally money. You will find cost…

A couple of years ago I saw signs of something serious going on. I have always been a healthy person and just kept thinking whatever was wrong it would just…

I wanted to go to the doctor,but at the time they were segregating people. My only option was to be treated in a shelter outside the building in full view…

A doctor once told me that the depo injection would be best for "girls like you". I was only 16 and wanting help with heavy periods. Then, to make matters…

I have a past issue with an overactive thyroid, not bad enough to need medication but enough to effect my life significantly. This happened 8 or so years ago and…

Honestly? Work and a toddler. I've just been home for 4 days with my sick toddler. Pretty sure Ive caught what he had. Will I go to the Dr? probs…

My daughter woke up with a very painful earache. She had the flu so we rang the doctor right on opening as they always leave a few appointments open in…

I don't feel embarrassed to go to the doctor, I don't go because they don't listen, won't make referrals unless they believe we need one and come across as though…

I had five weeks of a sinus infection. Loads of thick green snot every morning. I went to the locum GP twice and both times I was told it was…

I feel triggered every time I go the drs, all because of a previous Dr telling me I was too fat to be considered for surgery, and then doubled my…

After years of tests and ABs (following an illness) and different meds I was finally referred to a gastroenterologist. Had initial appointments and invasive procedures. Came back for follow up…

I have been struggling with my nervous system for some time, having had Shingles/ ramsay hunt syndrome, bells palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, tremors, stabbing pain, ants crawling sensation, loss of feeling…

I have lots of stories to tell but I’ll stick with the two recent ones. I have endometriosis and occasionally need to be admitted for pain relief. I needed to…

My dad couldn't get an appointment when he was really sick and ended up dying with pneumonia. Turns out he had underlying conditions no one knew about so there was…

I was assaulted by my brother who was also a patient of theirs. My GP at the time was absolutely fantastic and I do believe he would have known I…

Since having Carpal tunnel release surgery infection I developed CRPS and it's super bad, every time I get hurt I get whakama going to the doctor because they don't really…

I visited my GP as I'd been feeling tired and had abdominal pain for a few weeks, he noticed my abdomen was quite distended and referred me to the hospital…

Every time I go to a doctor, they prescribe medications that I react severely to. I have been sent to ER multiple times because they keep giving me antibiotics that…

I am currently sick, have been for almost 3 weeks. Severely blocked nostrils and blowing heaps of green phlegm from my sinuses. Something has also happened to my ears so…

I’m overweight and know it, but I just got sick of going to the doctor for most things because they would always just make me feel all my health issues…

I was diagnosed with a chronic illness after an accident landed me in icu and I suffered a TBI and minor injuries. I stopped going to the gp after my…

I am 21 years old and have been dealing with chronic health issues that went unrecognized for a long time. Despite visiting various doctors, I often felt ignored and neglected.…

I was misdiagnosed with ovarian cancer for years. At first I delayed visiting my doctor because it was a bit embarrassing to talk about changes to my poo. They did…

Invasive medical procedures involving the forced penetration of children's private parts against their will are severely traumatic and experienced as child sexual assault. Pinning a human being down to forcibly…

We moved from a small-ish town (5,000 people) to a small regional town (2,000 people) a few years ago. We were spoiled in our previous town having a medical centre…

Never embarrassed, just mad and incredibly discouraged. From being labelled as a hysterical female, to being asked if it's about me being trans, to trying to prescribe me things that…

I felt to whakamā to go to the pharmacist for my jab. Visibly upset and with a support friend, the worker said 'need someone to hold yr hand' I replied…

In my early 20s I'd experienced years of issues with my periods and felt like my GP of 15+ years at that point wasn't listening to my experiences. He made…

In my 20's I had more UTI's then I can count. After a few trial and errors I found the "small yellow" pills fixed it up but the "big white"…

I got Long Covid on holiday, and two years later I'm still exhausted with chronic fatigue. I am on a benefit and can't work fulltime. My GP clinic has closed…

My past experience with dr's had led me to have little to no trust or faith in their decisions. On numerous occasions, there have been misdiagnoses. Pain has been written…

Took my baby to 3 different doctors to get tongue and lip tie support. Was shut down and made to feel crazy by them all. So gave up on nz…

I needed support postpartum but they wouldn't let me wait inside without a mask on, two years on from covid. Even though that very Dr wrote my mask exemption. They…

I felt whakamā to go to the doctor because there it is rare to have Māori representation with health professionals. There is no consideration of Te ao Māori approaches to…

Who can actually get into see their GP nowadays? Appointments are nearly 6 weeks out, unless it's seriously acute and then it's only via phone and they just give you…

I have multiple health issues, many chronic and so when something acute pops up (like hemorrhoids, or pain from a bad back) I often feel I'll be labeled a hypochondriac…

I went to my doctor with abdominal pain but because I've had stomach pain for ages and no one has been able to figure out why, My doctor done a…

I've been to the doctors every year for the last 5 years because I have symptoms of pcos, heavy painful menstrual cycles and fatigue, brain fog, excessive hair growth, weight…

In my experience and after 20 years in the vet industry dealing with drug reps and vets, I feel that drs do not know about health, they just know how…

I went yo the doctor to get a wart removed and they wouldn't let me in if I didn't waer a mask.

With the safe and effective narrative being pushed so hard with the media and government, and having a back ground in pharmaceuticals. I knew this was a real issue as…

It's not my story, but my late Mother's. In spite of publicity around bowel screening, and having been sent bowel screening kits, my mum binned them all. The thought of…

I got labled as a drug seeker and told continuously there's nothing wrong with my back as nothing shows up on xrays, only to find years later i have 2…

My doctor was rude about my transness and sexuality. I didn't feel comfortable going back.

Ive been on anti-depressants for most of my life now and I couldnt afford to pay $40 for my appointment just to renew my script. I have had to come…

I went in for treatment and he told me to take off my mask which made me realise he didn't care about my wellbeing or others.

My doctor didnt want to believe my clinical diagnosis of mental health issues so i stopped going for anything else because if he didn't want to understand my clinical diagnoses…

There is zero preventive medicine in Nz. Is pretty hard to get a GP to give you a good check up. Even with health care they don’t bother to give…

My symptoms started at the same time I arrived to New Zealand. So, at first, I thought I was not being understood because I did not understand how health services…

I only go if I really have to because I think I’m wasting their time. One example is I crashed into a car and airbags didn’t deploy. Initially I had…

I went to my doctor to review my contraception as my current contraception had caused me to bleed for up to 1-2 months. When I explained my symptoms to my…

I feel earlier this year and twisted my ankle. For 16 weeks I went to physio but wasn’t getting better as fast as I knew I could. My doctors have…

I got the flu, I went earlier in the flu to see someone and got sent home with nothing. About 3 days later I very likely needed to go to…

It's taken almost 2 decades, numerous doctors, to get to my current diagnoses, which are generally comorbid, invisible chronic illnesses. The symptoms are multiple, serious and debilitating but most days…

I went to my GP as i had been suffering from widespread pain and fatigue for months. I was scared and confused about the fact that my body seemed to…

I am too unwell to get to the Dr or do any screening/health checks. My doctor doesn't do house calls so I have pretty much decided I'll just get through…

Since birth my son has had respiratory issues so when he gets sick it always ends with a chest infection, there is one GP nurse in our small town clinic…

Doctors would not give proven medication such as Ivermectin or quinine for a covid virus, instead wanted to inject me with an unproven so called vaccine I'm not at all…

Going to the doctor has proven to be a bit pointless for me of late. For a number of years my concerns about my mobility - knees and hips -…

Language barriers - some doctors are hard to understand. Culturally inappropriate - sitting/leaning butt on tables, no care to maintain patient privacy (leaving curtain open, no covering when adding dots…

It annoys me when going to the doctors and they ask, "Hello. How are you?" Well, I'm sick of course.

It's so gosh dang expensive to see a doctor. Our whānau grew up knowing our doctor and he knew us. Nowadays we don't know anybody and have to repeat our…

My Mum passed away and for 3 weeks i felt so crook that i hardly left the couch. eventually i called the dr to see my GP, i was told…

After 2 years with ME/CFS involving many trips to the doctor, I saw a locum (due to 3 doctors leaving the practice within months of each other) who was rude…

I went to my local clinic and was given a new doctor, they started using words I didn't understand. This made me feel very uncomfortable and I ended up asking…

After seeing multiple GPs , for the same very painful and unpleasant symptoms of PCOS and very prolonged heavy bleeding, I had complained of extreme fatigue and breathlessness to over…

I have many personal stories of being gaslighted and treated like rubbish by doctors, I’ve even submitted complaints to the medical practices of said doctors on two separate occasions. However…

For me I've made the effort to go-to all my appointments and made appointments when I felt the need But.. now the acc charge for a GP has gone from…

I have a lot of symptoms for many years, that have not been diagnosed. Every couple of years my GP leaves and I have to get a new one. In…

After multiple trips to the doctor for the same issues, with no diagnosis or treatment or suggestions for symptom management I no longer bother to bring them up and just…

After being told by multiple mental health professionals that my problems were just my personality, that people with the disorders I thought I had were much worse off than I…

I havent been for ages because my father married a gp. She was training when they met, and I was a teen. Dad and I used to get along great…

I had been back and fourth to the doctor for around 5 years with terrible pms symptoms. Each month for one to two weeks before getting my period I would…

I hurt my knee many years ago even with acc aftercare it still never fully healed. Years later I went to go get my knee checked as it was giving…

I have every symptoms for PCOS, even down to the facial hair and being unable to concieve. Everytime I've presented this to my GP he just says I need to…

I have been made to feel like I don't know my own body. That I am a hypochondriac. I have traveled to find someone to listen to me, I wasn't…

Living in a small South Island town it's really hard to get a decent Dr as well as being mis diagnosed after fracturing my back. I got kicked out of…

I have a long history of endometriosis etc. In 2022 it was found I had a very large growth needing removal. I was violently raped as a teenager but had…

I've always been hesitant to see my GP as since I was young any issue or problem I had, my weight was somehow a factor and he would literally throw…

A very simple story. I felt unwell, I knew it could be high blood pressure. I contacted my PHO in [redacted] to see a nurse. They were fantastic within an…

Phoning for an appointment and no matter how urgent it is your told you can’t get into a doctor for at least 1/2 weeks! And then your told it will…

I tore my calf muscle badly on a Sunday evening. Living rurally, there were no doctors or ED services open nearby - to access either would have meant a 3…

I had a horrible sore throat swollen glands, I am a mother to an active toddler so even though I was in a lot of pain, I kept going for…

Because I'm carrying some extra weight I know I'll just be told to lose weight. I do not want to be put on a scale and made to feel like…

I have MCS, multiple chemical sensitivity, I suffer everyday from exposures to scented products, perfumes, scented laundry products, pesticides, etc. My doctors office uses plug in air freshners so when…

I rolled my ankle really badly, it's 15 weeks later and still really hurts especially with stairs or climbing in and out of bed. I can't afford the $55 to…

I live in a small rural town. I imagine it is pretty hard to attract doctors to our area. However we have 2 wonderful dr one male and one female.…

It takes me at least three weeks to get an appointment with my GP who is only available during work hours. Then I wait in the reception for longer than…

Kia Ora after I had my 2nd Pfizer vaccine I had heart racing issues when walking or doing my everyday physical activities I didn't go to the Drs due to…

Currently having a miscarriage. I know i should go to see a doctor for tests and scans to make sure its all gone, just cant face up to talk someone…

I have had recurrent genital itching that was a result of pregnancy hormones. I was seen by multiple doctors who said there was no cause and to just put steroids…

Local doctors surgery. Prescriptions are $20. so it’s very hard when on the solo parent benefit to keep up with medical costs. Problem is that if you owe any money,…

Need to go to the doctors.Have had a headache for 2 weeks. Can't afford the $65.00 for the visit and have to wait 3 weeks to get in to see…

After having an awful experience recently I now do not feel comfortable returning to any health professionals and lacking trust. I recently relocated to Christchurch from Nelson and booked a…

I have negative experiences going to doctors, they ate expensive and rushed and come out feeling worse with no answers. I've been gaslit my whole life by them. It took…

I got the 2nd jab and from that night I have had 18 visits to my doctor. And no help at all apart from tests and scans. Lost all faith…

As a young female, doctors repeatedly make me feel dismissed and like a drama queen. I have been told that my crippling period pain is normal and to have a…

Going to the doctor for a migraine involves calling the doctor (which means looking at the cell phone which is bright) and waiting for a call back and then trying…

I felt too embarrassed/ashamed/scared to go to the doctor about my s*xual assault that resulted in pregnancy. I had a lot of pain issues I had going on and feelings…

Simply put, while I was on maternity leave I couldn’t afford to go. Once you’re discharged from your midwife at 6 weeks postpartum you’re on your own - but that…

It’s a six week wait for a physical appointment to see a doctor at my GP (want to get a skin issue checked out). Can’t make a booking online, have…

I am 39yr old woman and I have serious concerns about going to the doctor due to years of gaslighting and minimising attitudes being the norm. I was diagnosed with…

My 16-year-old daughter developed a severe anxiety disorder following years of bullying at school. She was having such regular and severe panic attacks that these were causing issues getting to…

Kia ora I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in 2018 due to stress, and not looking after my te whare tapa Hauora. My whole internal organ system started going out if…

We don't like going to the doctors as they aren't holistic...push for medications rather than root causes. Got pain and the reason isn't obvious so they just want to prescribe…

I avoided going to the drs because my last dr blamed my pain as anxiety and self induced due to being overweight. 3 years later I was diagnosed with a…

I hate having to go to the local doctors because the receptionist is racist and is a friend of my ex-partner who is pakeha. I had to take my baby…

At 32 I had been trying to conceive for 3 years. I had spent 20 years believing my painful and unpredictable periods were ‘normal’ and I had been told if…

I have always hesitated knowing that many of my health issues would just be slapped with ‘lose some weight’ by the doctors. I have been working on losing weight since…

I have visited my GP many times over the last 15 years. Every single time I discussed how painful my periods are, how hard it is for me to lose…

I spent my childhood seeing a family GP who unfortunately ignored what I had to say and their go to advice was for me to loose weight. At age 11…

I have been going to the doctor with sore legs and difficulty losing weight since my early 20s. Always told to just eat less and get off the couch. 35…

After third child and C-sections for all of them (4months postpartum & breastfeeding), I thought my bits would be okay but currently having pain around my vulva/entrance to vagina which…

I experience pain during sex. Have sought help with it before but it took ages to pluck up the courage. Initially it went ok but then I was treated so…

I went to my doctor at 40 years old a few years after I had my child. My legs were large, painful, and getting bigger. She said "We all get…

A month ago my little girl (5) was really sick, she had a fever of 41 , vomiting and was refusing to eat or drink at all. We couldn’t get…

When I go to the Dr and ask for help feeling emotional/pmd symptoms and wanting to get my hormones checked only to be told after a 5 min consult that…

I need to get my smear test and I've been ignoring all the texts for years. I'm about a decade overdue. I've been telling myself that I'll go once I've…

Because I didn't know how to approach my GP regarding the process of getting an ADHD referral. It took approx 6 months of self researching and then 2 months after…

I have been struggling with pain in my legs ever since I can remember. I have explained this to the Drs so many times but it was totally ignored. The…

I am always scraping the spare cents to afford to go to the doctor. So often I dont go and just wait and see as i have to either pay…

I had post natal depression after my baby was born 30 weeks prem and this was during covid lock downs. it was my first baby so was quite scary being…

When my doctor says to loose weight for every problem that i come in for. I come in for support but get told i should not eat meat i should just…

I had to have surgery on some rather nasty hemorrhoids that I had been avoiding for some time due to the intimate nature of getting them looked at. Finally got…

Not a story about being shy but the wait times are SO long to see a GP. Even to book to get vaccinations for children the wait time is at…

I'm not currently sexually active, and don't 'groom' as I see no point. One time I was having a smear done by a nurse instead of my male doctor. I…

I had covid for the first time in Feb 2024. By May I was still wheezy at night so couldnt sleep and I was breathless just walking around the house…

I discovered a lump in my breast in Nov 2023 and thought it might be hormonal and go away on its own. I went overseas in Jan 2024 and returned…

Tēnā koe. I'm 21, and suffering from PCOS and stage 3 Endometriosis. I've avoided seeing doctors and health professionals for almost an entire decade because every time I sought help…

I am a 28 year old woman that will sit there and make an appointment but I can't actually face going to the doctor after 14 years of being told…

Finally convinced my partner to go see the GP. Was in a very bad state mental health wise. Suicidal. Was told no assistance available as not a " targeted demographic".…

I have had two abortions for babies with abnormalities that were in one case life limiting and potentially ending, and the other 100% fatal. She had a life span of…

I now avoid going to a gp at all costs. I have had 14 years of being told I don't know my body, I shouldn't be in that much pain,…

After the appalling way the unvaccinated were treated during Covid, I have lost respect and trust in the healthcare system. We were made to feel like the scum of the…

I have multiple chronic illnesses and I often will not seek medical care when new symptoms arise. We are always told to go see a doctor and keep them informed…

It started as a cold that my partner brought home. It wasn't too bad, which is unusual for me. The next week it moved to my sinuses, and I had…

I am overweight and I feel like my doctor's answer to all my health issues is 'lose weight'. I feel lazy and stupid because it's so hard. I know my…

My GP is expensive and she's always pushed for time. I feel like we can never get to the root of my problem and I can't afford to keep going…

If your sick you can't get in to see the Dr for 3 -6 weeks so I don't bother going. As by that time it is pointless.

I felt like my symptoms were dismissed and not properly investigated every time I did go to the doctor. After 1.5 years I finally managed to get a specialist referral.…

I have osteoarthritis in my knees and hips, I have been under the care of an orthopaedic surgeon at a public hospital for 12 years. Up until last year I…

Before I was diagnosed with a long term condition, I went to the doctor a few times to say that something was wrong but they made me feel like it…

My whole body was shaking, I was freezing cold and not even able to hold my baby. I felt short of breath but we live rurally and the doctor (non…

I have not been for a smear or gynecological check up in over a decade, despite having a strong family history of cervical cancer, a long history of abnormal cell…

For our adults with FASD, appointments anywhere can be very stressful. I know my son puts off seeing doctor, dentist, WINZ and even booking in to get a warrant for…

Mostly it’s cost of going, so I have to be really sick to go. And trust issues with Dr (previous Dr retired, don’t get to see same Dr to build…

I was too whakamā to reach out for help when suicidal with serious withdrawal akathisia from drug withdrawal reactions, owing to the shaming and stigmatising behaviours of psychiatrists. I’d already…

Its really hard to get a GP and i feel when i do get a appointment it is rushed and i am not listened to

I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and knew nothing about it. I saw a doctor who first said it was morning sickness and should subside. After losing 12kg in one…

I had ongoing UTI's. If I even thought about sex I got an infection. After multiple visits over time, the doctor made me feel as though this was something I…

I feel to Whakama to go to the Doctor's as I was labelled as a 'Medical Seeking Parent ' due to my eldest having a chronic pain condition.

I don't know if this is what you are looking for. I am 71 and have not gone to the doctors on several occasions because it costs me $69 and…

I was to whakamā to go to the doctor with severe depression, anxiety and confusion that arose from being in a coercievely controlling relationship - with a medical doctor. My…

I had hyperemesis gravadarum in my second and third pregancies. During my second pregancy I went to an after hours clinic twice and the ED once due to severe dehydration…

Costs too much, I'm still 100 in debt that I'm still trying to work out how to pay. My kids are older now too so I prioritize their health needs…

I had severe hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy and couldn’t keep food or even water down for months, vomiting between 15-50 times a day. I should have gone to the ED…

Fat-shaming is a common experience for me. I have been to doctors with a cold and been prescribed asthma inhalers and laxatives. I feel like they're just waiting to diagnose…

I have had 2 Dr visits so far this year. The total for the 2 visits $250. In Feb I went to get a couple of things checked out and…

I'm 36 with multiple chronic illnesses. I KNOW when my symptoms are new and need investigating in case it's something else. I saw a public neurologist earlier this year who…

I subluxated my shoulder one night. Fortunately the shoulder popped back into place by itself after about half an hour. But my surrounding muscles were very damaged and I had…

I have always been an advocate for seeing the doctor. Being raised by Two sick parents, an only child, I was able to read and write by 3, and am…

I have moved with my children several times in the last ten years for work, and every time we have needed to get a new GP. In 6 different regions,…

I find it really hard to know when my kids are sick “enough” to go to a doctor. I have rung Healthline or Plunketline and they say my child needs…

Ive had both good and bad experiences over the years I havent had the same GP for a long duration due to moving Doctors can be very different to one…

I don't know if whakamā is the right way to describe how I feel about going to the doctor now - maybe it's more māharahara or mānukanuka. When I experienced…

It's too expensive to see a GP. We don't qualify for a Community Services Card, but times are tough and $65 for a 15 minute appointment is too much to…

In my 20s I was put on an epilepsy drug that's well documented as causing weight gain as a side effect. In a short period I time my weight literally…

I have been very dubious about going to the doctors in the town I live in for many years now, I only go when I absolutely have too. Years ago,…

For many years I had the diagnosis/label of borderline personality disorder, and I was also dealing with a very real (and potentially life-threatening) chronic physical condition that meant a lot…

I have a bladder disease and I should go to the doctors, but they had three years of constant visits by me to diagnose it, but never did. Dr Google…

I feel prompted to share my experiences after reading about the heartbreaking experiences suffered by Dr Huhana Hickey in her attempts to get a diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS. Her…

I decided to share my story because of a comment Nichola Willis made in the media - that "New Zealanders don’t turn up at the emergency room thinking about their…

After my second baby was born I realised my mental health was struggling. We’d just survived our first Covid lockdown and I had 2 small children. So I went to…

I burst my eardrum in my sleep on the 1st of Jan. After 3 months of constant leaking and pain and presenting myself up at AnE I finally got something…

The hospital system may be lacking and not enough money but every time I visited the staff have been fantastic and caring and I was not judge by the colour…

Five years ago my teenage daughter started to loose a lot of weight, her hair thinned, sore stomach and was very emotionally unstable. We thought it may be due to…

We are constantly being told to visit a GP if bowel movements have changed or if you have blood in your stool for more than 2 weeks. I had this…

2 years ago in winter I had a chest infection. It was at the beginning of the illness and I do get these infections a lot, but the moment the…

Six years ago I attended a GP in Wellington for migraines so severe I had to take 7 months off work due to the chronic migraines and chronic pain. I…

For many years I didn't realise I had mental health issues I used alcohol and drugs to deal with my pain. Once I started using meth I knew there was…

I have suffered with horrendous periods and hormonal related mood instability for many, many years. Suicide attempts, job losses, relationship break downs are all products of the after math of…

I went to a doctor on Monday ..I’m waiting on a c t scan…priority…the pains getting worse.can be a ten out of ten my mental health is suffering which I…

I have been accused of being a drug seeker by my GP because she gave me narcotic pain relief which only worked for short periods rather than medication for the…

The saddest part about trying to write a story was having to pick which one I wanted to tell. I'm tired of fighting to be heard by people who are…

My cousin from Hawke’s Bay required surgery to get 3 stents put in. They flew him down to Wellington and he waited 2 full day while several others having the…

I was raped as a teenager and several years later went to my go for help after feeling severely depressed and suicidal. She told me I wasn’t depressed because people…

How come when I go to see the Dr the next week people at the Marae know about what is wrong with me. Does Māori people not deserve privacy? Who…

I switched practice to a new Māori GP in my area thinking it would be beneficial to be in the practice of someone more aware of my culture. I had…

I have a history of bad experiences with doctors. I am a Māori woman in a leadership position within the public sector, 31, birthed 3 children naturally and will avoid…

I stopped going to the doctor for anything other than my regular prescriptions for a long time, after a very negative experience. I was going through a nasty divorce at…

My son who is only 4 saw an ear nose and throat specialist back in January. He had severely enlarged tonsils and after a sleep study have found out he…

I have persistent pelvic infections. For the past 8 months I have lived every day in pain. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and I keep being fobbed off because…

Just ringing trying to get appointment (when they answer phone!)...easier to get to the moon best to go in and see them. Recepionist wanted to know problem...is she medical trained…

I have a lump in my back that can cause pain, stiffness and general all round discomfort, well had seen 2 GPs now about this and ohh it’s just tense…

I avoid the doctor as much as I can. I actually have quite good self-advocacy skills but there is still a high chance of me experiencing some kind of ignorance…

I avoid going to the doctor despite experiencing even severe pain due to embarassing perspectives such as it will come right, it's likely to be something small, common, and will…

I'm pakeha, but being female, neurodivergent and overweight my story is like many others here. I likely have endometriosis which aggravates bulging discs in my spine but have never had…

I always hold off going to the doctor for anything due to fear of being "fat shammed" and being told things wouldn't happen if I lost weight. Going for a…

Because I had a mental breakdown after losing my brother to suicide two days before my first baby's birth as a solo mum, that's on my medical notes and seems…

I was reading your stuff article today and I was shocked how much of the article resonated for me with the experience my partner has had through the health system…

I was always a sickly child. Constantly home from school with infections or a cold or the flu. One year was different, I never recovered from that illness. I am…

I'm embarrassed but I work and can not afford to see my GP. And when I do, I end up with a debt. I don't always see my GP, I…

My GP has left me feeling uncomfortable going to see him, he smirks at the word 'period' so I feel like I can't even talk openly about my complex health…

I think I'd not been eating well, I'd felt stressed out, exhausted. I'd ignored the fact that I was likely anaemic for a while. Midway through spending a week at…

I have a rare neurological disorder that is poorly understood to start with not just in NZ but globally although NZ is really behind in catching up. It makes it…

My stories are too many to really get a whole picture. But long story short it took GPs 18 years to give me a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and…

When I was 19 my best friend and flatmate of the same age became unwell. Typical cold and flu symptoms but she felt terrible. We were worried it might be…

I had an ingrown toenail and tried to do a DIY fix. It would feel relieved for a day then get bad again. In total, I suffered for 6 months…

I went to my GP for a UTI which was the tip of the iceberg really and for the first time in my life I ended up disclosing the state…

Got this new doc about 2017 when mine left for Oz. I have a family history of high BP and I, myself had been on meds for about 20 years.…

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Doctors just don't know what to do or just think it's in your head because there is no test that says yes it's CFS/ME. They…

In my late teens I had cancer cells burned from my cervix, and later developed endometriosis. My doctor in a large town (location withheld for privacy) was well aware of…

I have a long list of things I need to see the dr about. Things that I've been experiencing for years but either there's no appointments for months, I can't…

I have been battling mental health issues since the age of 12. They started me on heavy medication at that young age. Every 6 months I was having to up…

I have been dealing with fatigue for over a decade. Finally brought it up to my dr and asked to get my thyroid checked after an ED dr told me…

I have autism (low support needs) and find the environment stressful and overwhelming. I also find it hard to identify what is wrong, which makes communication difficulties with medical professionals…

It's just depression and anxiety they say. I didnt ask for that stuff to happen to me. I have severe fears of abandonment and it's not normal get upset each…

It's hard, everytime I try to tell my doctor that something is wrong. I just get given a blood test and told everything's normal. I do have anemia but I…

In 2020, around May I experienced what I thought was a bad headache, I debated going to A&E but thought paracetamol and sleep would help. It didn't. The following day…

I've been treated like a dog trying to get the professional help I needed.I went to my doctor for help on Friday. I had been fighting woth them for years.…

In 2016 my life changed forever when I had an accident at work. In 2018 after constantly fighting the medical and ACC system I was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional…

I have a story to share don't know how far it will go or if even read.. I have suffered for over 15 years in and out of a&e, not…

Frequently as a disabled woman I am turned away from the ER when having anaphylaxis so I am on the floor struggling to breathe (lucky to have asthma meds always…

I’ve been experiencing side effects from medications. The doctors and nurses keep gaslighting me - saying it can’t be the pills. That I must be mistaken. They deny that I’m…

Don’t listen, don’t read notes, just tell us what to do but they’re not listening. I constantly have to advocate, not even for what I need but just for my…

I’m not stupid, I’ve got a brain tumor but I’m not stupid, so don’t talk to me like I am – that’s what I get when I go to the…

Lets talk about the misappropriateness of assessments. Everytime I go to the doctor the nurse asks me the family violence questions, every single time, even though they know I live…

I have to constantly reshare personal information and I don’t know whose reading those notes. That’s what contributes to the whakamā, not knowing where all this personal information is going…

I do go because I know how to advocate for myself, only cause I’ve got a background in nursing so I know my rights, but my 82 year old aunt…

Its all about relationships and trust, if I don’t have that I don’t go

I go to the doctor with my whanau to advocate for them cause they’re too whakama to do it for themselves. You know, they get given all this medication but…

What I’m seeing these days is some people and organisations have got these fancy Māori titles but I don’t see them honouring the kupu, you know you’ve got this fancy…

I have been dealing with fatigue issues since I was a teenager, and multiple doctors have dismissed my experience entirely. Whether under the regards of mental health issues, weight, medications,…

My doctor treated me with doubt and suspicion regarding my ADHD medication. She would make comments like “You know you’re on a really high dose” and made me sign a…

Like anyone who’s overweight - I know it. I went to an after hours doctor as I had a gastro bug and needed a doctors certificate as I was going…

My doctor has downplayed my symptoms in the past. It took hospitalisation for my doctor to realise that my mental health issues were past the point of just talking it…

I have been struggling with my mental and physical health for years. All my doctor's tell me my blood tests look fine and I'm managing to hold a job so…

I once had a swab taken and the doctors must have lost or misplaced it - it took over 1 month to get the result. They rang me and told…

I had just moved to a new city for uni and was constantly sick and tired for more than a year and had gone to the doctors 5 times. They…

I went to the doctor for a cold, they pulled up notes from a "confidential" counselling visit where I said I was stressed about University and they told me I…

The last time I went to the GP she was rude and uncaring. My blood pressure was raised (I explained that this always happens at the Drs (white coat syndrome)…

i have really struggled with wanting to go to the doctor as i have been misdiagnosed in ways that really hurt me and have been through a lot of mishandling…

Went to public mental health as my life is falling apart and I have no where left to go for help. The follow up letter they sent my doctor was…

I told my doctor I was treated so badly by a mental health professional it caused me to have a breakdown and selfharm for the first time in many many…

I was in my doctors office, tears streaming down my face, saying I don't know what to do any more, I can't function, life is so hard. They said "well…

Last time I was on antidepressants the wait to see my GP for a repeat prescription took too long I ran out. I gave up trying to see my GP…

Going to the doctor is a waste of time and really embarrassing. Nobody likes talking bout their bowel movements but a couple of years ago I “bit the bullet” and…

Portrayed as a lazy bludger - how embarrassing! A recent ACC Case Review report came back with 12 pages of “conclusions” regarding my 3-year recovery from a head injury, many…

I hate the way medical professionals make assumptions based on incomplete information or statistics and guidelines rather than treating people on a case by case basis. I got a copy…

About 30 years ago I had some “eating issues” and a diagnosis of “bulimia nervosa” was listed in my medical records. When I gained online access to my records I…

Why is everything done by telephone or email now? Why have we just become a number/case/file instead of a living breathing real person? Who decided that kanohi-ki-te-kanohi was old fashioned,…

For almost 2 years after a “concussion” I had been suffering from undiagnosed BPPV, (a form of vertigo). I would have “turns” almost daily where everything would spin, I’d want…

I haven’t been to the doctor for many many years. 20+years ago I had a great doctor who then retired , i was unregistered at his practice, I rang once…

I had always had very painful periods. I had my daughter at 16 yrs old. I am now 35. I had been rushed in to emergency plenty of times and…

I still continue to avoid going to the doctor about my potential external hemmroids. They have caused me significant pain and discomfort for over 15years. I do not feel comfortable…

I went to the dr because my anxiety was out of control and depression was creeping in fast. My child at the time, was about 13 months old and still…

I’ve felt too whakamā to go to the doctors multiple times in my life. I am a māori woman with a rare disability & also endometriosis. Anytime I go I…

I have a phobia of medical appointments after a history of negative experiences. I avoid going to the doctors when I’m unwell and I worry frequently about any undetected conditions…

I can't go to the doctor about my acne or pimples, doctors don't take that stuff seriously when you're 40. Only teenagers care about their skin. It's embarrassing to be…

I went for a cough, I couldn't sleep because of it, my ribs hurt and I had sharp pains. I used to have asthma and after 4 weeks of coughing…

When I got my first period, it was crazy heavy and extremely painful. I had no previous experience and all my Mum said was "oh, you take after your grandmother".…

I had an emergency csection 5 years ago and woke up from it deaf. Kept in hospital for a week due to stroke risk but fobbed off about my hearing,…

I've had 4 children , and after my last child's birth, which was brutal to say the least, I've suffered from incontinence. Which as a female, is super embarrassing to…

I was only diagnosed with ADHD at 45 after my son was diagnosed. It took a self assessment to get an GP referral then almost a year and large amount…

I’ve only just now received an ADHD diagnosis just about 27 years old, after years of waiting for my doctors incorrect info about referral acceptance - and after years of…

I know that I have ADHD but growing up I didn't and until I was 37, I didn't know. I just thought I wasn't as good as other people at…

Any illness I went to the doctor with would always end up with the answer to be, 'lose weight and we need to check for diabetes as you are an…

For years I endured painful swelling in my lower legs and knees, chronic pain in my hips, chronic lower back pain, and the gradual onset of debilitating chronic fatigue. I…

I am trans non-binary. Every time I go to the doctor I have a non-affirming experience in terms of how I am spoken to/about. This, combined with body dysphoria, means…

I experienced sexual trauma as a child and experienced ADHD like symptoms, hypervigilance, anxiety, nightmares, poor sleep, low mood, negative self assessment, difficulties at school, and anger. I could not…

Have lost count on how many times I have tried contacting Mental Health services requesting the Mental Health Clinician to contact us regarding medications for my son who has a…

I have lost confidence in doctors, feeling like I always have to justify being there taking up their time - which is new to me as I had good experiences…

I arrived here when I was one years old, however going to the doctor was always an intimidating process. My family would change jobs frequently, and every time we shifted…

My relationship with alcohol wasn't a problem. Not as far as I knew. I was normal, fitted in with my family and friends, drank almost any beverage on offer. As…

As a trans person I am tired of feeling like I'm having to fight my doctors. Its been two years now of begging but they give me crumbs and expect…

When I went to the Dr for hormone therapy he refused for 6 months because he refused to read updated guidelines for informed consent

I choose not to go to the doctor because when I do I am treated and spoken to as if I'm negligent or an idiot. I have an extensive history…

As an immigrant, when I was on my student visa or work visa, I felt too WHAKAMĀ to visit the doctor because if they were to discover any serious health…

Back in my mid-20s, I was working multiple jobs. I would wake up early and finish late, after which I would participate in drinking and casual drug use. I became…

I feel whakamā when I visit the doctor for my insomnia. It's been a constant struggle for me, and I've seen many GPs about it. Their advice is to exercise…

I felt like I had to wait for symptoms to get worse or unbearable because they minimise the pain and almost always give me paracetamol and antibiotics and thats it.

I live in a very rural community, our district has fewer than two people per km2. Over the past four years, we have gone from having three doctor’s offices to…

I have children, children have accident. My son fell off a stool that shouldn't have been in the kitchen (thanks other children). Had a cry gave a hug and was…

I felt a hard lump in my breast it was small and hard and getting more uncomfortable, I thought to myself this isn't good. I told a friend of mine…

I noticed was a difference in the texture under my skin in my sternum area, felt like hard lumps - Im a Registered Nurse so dutifully went to my GP…

I was extremely disappointed how my Tane, Maori Male Mid 40's, was stigmatised and discriminated against,ed disrespect, arrogance, and racism practices. The non-Maori registered nurse, did not know how to…

Every time I go to the Doctor I am judge, and asked questions I don't understand. - Young Mum

I avoid going to the Doctor because I can't afford it. I would rather go through the pain and suffering, then spend our money on seeing a doctor for 5…

I'm a māmā of four boys living in ***** (location withheld) and I've put off visiting the doctors for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is I don't trust…

I migrated to Aotearoa from overseas as a skilled migrant to fulfil a skills shortage. On signing up with a PHO I arranged for my overseas doctor to send my…

Hello there, I am a mum of 3. My oldest daughter is 19 now and she is suffering from anxiety and depression. What I would like to share is how…

My kōrero is more about an experience that has now made me too whakamā to kōrero about it again. I went to see our local doctors and wanted some support…

It’s so hard to get an appointment for that day you need it. Multiple times I’ve called and they have no doctors or are fully booked.

When I called to make an appointment with the GP I tried to give them some info so they didn’t misgender me. I told the lady on the phone my…

The lady on the desk is so rude, always get the hit up for costs, “YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO SEE THE GP BECAUSE YOU OWE $133. $133!! YOU”RE GOING…

I hate talking about myself. I get overwhelmed with all the questions. My aunty tells them she will speak on my behalf, but they still ask me questions – even…

When my mum was young, a chiro pinched a nerve in her neck, leaving her with a permanent tremor in her right arm and neck. Years later she was misdiagnosed…

For a long time, I was having a really rough time in my relationship – my husband was violent and angry with me and the kids. When I was at…

I went to the GP about perimenopause. First question: Do you smoke? and then he prescribed antidepressants. “You think you’ve got menopause? And what makes you think you’re in menopause?…

Heaps of times I’ve gone to the docs sick and been asked if I’m a druggy or alcoholic. Like they think I'm just there to feed a drug addiction. I’ve…

In my family, we’ve been taught to believe that you basically had to be dying before you’d even think about going to the doctors - there’s a GP shortage, they’re…