Interpreting Services to Pharmacies for Former Refugees

WellSouth's funded interpreting services to community pharmacies across Dunedin and Invercargill support former refugees as they navigate their medications.
This service is delivered through Connecting Now services and aims to support safe medication dispensing by aiming to reduce language barriers and enhance health literacy for former refugees. 

Connecting Now

Connecting Now has over 125 languages and dialects available with a range of on demand phone and video services available. If an in-person interpreter is required or you need access to unique languages, prior bookings to use the service may be required. Check the language list here

For more information on Connecting Now and the services they provide please visit https://connectingnow.co.nz/

Eligibility and Criteria

Former Refugee families are issued a WellSouth NHI card on their arrival to their new home in Dunedin or Invercargill. This card may be a physical copy or a digital photo on the patient's phone.   

The patient must present their WellSouth NHI card to access this funded interpreting service during a pharmacy consultation  

The card needs to be sighted and verified before interpreting services are initiated.  

 *If a patient has lost their card, they can contact the WellSouth Former Refugee Team or their Cross Cultural Health Navigator to be issued with a new card.* 

*it is strongly encouraged that health professionals use qualified interpreters rather than friends, family or children to ensure the information is translated correctly. 

How to Contact Connecting Now:

  1. Call 0800 408 899

  2. Enter Pin: 14354.

  3. Enter Cost code:

  4. Dunedin Pharmacies: 0001

  5. Invercargill Pharmacies: 0002

New to using interpreters? 

Connecting Now has free support and training on how to use their service. Please contact 0800 408 899. There are also free trainings and guides available:

Questions or Support?

If your pharmacy needs assistance accessing the interpreting service, helping a patient book a consult or if you need to clarify a patient's eligibility, please contact the WellSouth Former Refugee Team on 0800 477 115.

Thank you for your continued commitment to making healthcare more accessible and equitable for our diverse Southern community