Bupa Alarm Products

Please contact us on 0800 60 80 99 if there is something not covered here.

• Isn’t this just a call button for an ambulance?

  No, if you use your medical alarm, you’ll be put through to someone at our New Zealand based call centre, who’ll get in touch with the help you choose whether it’s a family member, a friend or your neighbour. Interestingly, only 50 percent of our callers want or need an ambulance.

• If I travel to another part of the country, can I take my alarm with me?

  Absolutely. We have nation-wide coverage including the Chatham Islands.

• What if there’s a power cut?

  Not to worry, our medical alarms have a 36-hour battery back up.

• I’ve never had trouble at home before; I shouldn’t need one, right?

  A medical alarm is good to have anyway, like insurance. It gives peace of mind for you and your family that if something does happen, you’ll be taken care of at the push of a button. It's like wearing a life jacket - you hope you never have to use it.

• If I use my Bupa medical alarm, will I be put through to an offshore call centre that doesn’t understand what I need?

  No, our call centre is based in New Zealand.

• What if I call for an ambulance using my medical alarm but while they’re on the way, my situation changes?

  That’s ok, because we always stay on the line with you until the help you need arrives. If something were to change, we would update the ambulance right away so they would be fully prepared once they arrived.

• Aren’t the Field Officers just out to make a sale?

  No, our friendly Field Officers are all on salaries. That means their only motivation is you and finding the perfect solution for your particular needs.

• Aren’t all medical alarms the same?

  Not quite. Unlike others we have an extensive range of alarms, sensors and accessories that cater to specific circumstances. Depending on what your needs are, we can find a solution to suit you. It's about providing the right service for you.

  Also unique to Bupa, if your alarm is pushed you’ll be put through to our New Zealand based call centre, who will then talk with you to find out what help you need – they won’t just send an ambulance. We then get in touch with the help you want and stay on the line to make sure you’re okay until help arrives – an ambulance, family member or neighbour.

• What kind of range does a Bupa medical alarm to the base unit have?

  That depends on you. We customise our medical alarms to suit all our customers’ individual circumstances. We always come to you to do an on-site test to make sure you get reception no matter where you are in your home or garden.

• What happens when I use my Bupa medical alarm?

  First, you’ll be put through to our New Zealand based call centre, who will then talk with you to find out what help you need, whether it’s an ambulance, your family or your neighbour. We then get in touch with the help you want and stay on the line to make sure you’re okay until help arrives.

• How do you know my neighbour’s / friend’s / family’s contact details?

  When we set up your medical alarm, our friendly Field Officer sits down with you and establishes a contact list of people you’d like to call if something happens. So if you do use your medical alarm, we will already have a list of the people who you want to help you, and then we get in touch with them.

• What if I don’t want to involve my family – I don’t want them to worry about me.

  It’s all up to you. We can involve your family as much, or as little as you want.

• I don’t live near my mum anymore, so I can’t check on her. What if she doesn’t get out of bed one day?

  Our range of sensors can help with that. Specifically, our Bed Occupancy Sensor can tell if your loved one hasn’t left the bed past a certain time, or has gotten up in the night, and not returned for a certain time. If that happens, we’re alerted and then we get in touch with you.

• Are Bupa medical alarms just for old people?

  No. We cater to customers of all ages in all kinds of circumstances. There was one particular case where a deaf woman couldn’t hear her baby cry, so we fitted pillow-shakers and a strobe light in her room that was triggered to 'light up' whenever her baby made loud noises. This allowed her to wake up and nurse her baby.

• What if I fall and I can’t push my medical alarm button?

  We have fall detectors that you can wear all the time that can sense when you’ve fallen down. If that happens, we’re contacted right away so that we can get you help.

• What if when you call, you can’t get through to me?

  If something happens, you use your alarm and we can’t get through to you, we automatically send an ambulance to come and help you.

• If I have to be taken by an ambulance, how will I inform my family?

  Not to worry. If you have to be taken to hospital, we’ll always contact your family and let them know.

• How much do Bupa medical alarms cost?

  Our costs vary depending on your situation. There are several organisations who fund medical alarms. Your local Healthcare Field Officer can discuss your options with you.