The service is being offered, in the first instance, only to registered medical practitioners who are members of either organisation but in saying this it is the hope of both our organisations that we will be able to expand this in time.

The service is being offered as a result of a growing need for medical professionals to have access to independent counselling services. This has been partly driven by the documented and now better-understood stress-related effects associated with the sometimes protracted complaint resolution process operating in New Zealand.

How the service will work

Doctors who wish to access counselling support can ring the MPS 0800 number - 0800 Call MPS - at any time. We can assure you that, as is currently the case, all calls to this number are kept in the strictest confidence.

Your call will be answered by a medical doctor (as it is now) who will liaise with EAP Services - the independent professional counselling service we have contracted to assist us in this endeavour - and set up an appointment.

If you feel that you or a colleague who is under stress would benefit by such a service then we urge you to call 0800 Call MPS (0800 2255 677) as soon as possible. Please use the same number for general information about the new service.