The Government has announced it will help bring 100 overseas-trained doctors into the primary care workforce and provide a $285 million "uplift" for general practice.
The performance-based uplift in funding over three years would come into effect from July.
This afternoon, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, alongside Health Minister Simeon Brown, unveiled several changes targeted at "making it easier for New Zealanders" to see a GPs amid growing pressures on emergency departments and waiting times to join medical centres or see family doctors.
Additional changes included incentives for GP practices and other providers outside hospitals to recruit up to 400 graduate registered nurses annually from later this year.
The Government would also invest money in a new "practical" 24/7 digital health service that will provide "all New Zealanders with better access to video consultations with New Zealand-registered clinicians, such as GPs and nurse practitioners", Brown said.
"We are already investing record funding into healthcare, but many New Zealanders are still finding it too hard to get an appointment with their GP, which is putting pressure on our emergency departments.
“We are taking action to ensure New Zealanders have increased access to more doctors and nurses and more choice of where they can access that healthcare."
Placements for overseas-trained doctors
The Health Minister said it was clear the sector "needs more doctors".
"That’s why we are funding a new two-year primary care training programme for up to 100 extra overseas-trained doctors once they are registered to work in New Zealand.
“It makes no sense that overseas-trained doctors living in New Zealand are willing to work in primary care, but can’t, because there aren’t enough training opportunities.
The NZREX is an exam that assesses the clinical safety of overseas-trained doctors who aren't eligible to be registered through any of the Medical Council's other pathways (Source: 1News)
"We are fixing this by building on a successful pilot in the Waikato and will support their transition into general practices that need them most," he said.
Additionally just over $30 million would be allocated over five years for a new initiative to pay GP practices and other providers incentives to recruit up to 400 graduate nurses.
“Just over $30 million has been allocated over five years for this initiative. Primary care providers, including general practice, will receive $20,000 per graduate nurse in rural areas, with those in our cities receiving $15,000," Brown said.
Under the plan, providers outside hospitals would be paid "an incentive to attract, recruit, and support up to 400 graduate registered nurses a year from this year".
"This helps attract essential healthcare staff where they’re desperately needed, particularly in rural areas," the Health Minister said.
$285m 'uplift' for general practice
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ would deliver a $285 million performance-based uplift in funding over three years for general practice from July 1, Brown announced.
The College of General Practitioners says the country is already way behind Australia in doctor numbers and it's only going to get worse. (Source: 1News)
"We know this additional funding will make a real difference in delivering the best health outcomes for New Zealanders, with more detail to be confirmed," he said.
"This is made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion in health and is in addition to the capitation uplift general practice receives annually.
"It will incentivise GPs to offer enhanced access, including keeping their books open to new patients, achieving key Government health targets such as increased immunisation rates, or supporting family doctors to undertake minor planned care services, and see patients in a timely manner."
A 24/7 'digital service' for video appointments
Brown also announced the Government would begin work on a new 24/7 "digital healthcare service" that would allow Kiwis to better access online video consultations.
"This service will mean Kiwis can access primary healthcare from anywhere in New Zealand, 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the ability for GPs and nurses to also issue prescriptions or make referrals for lab tests," he said.
“This is a practical solution which expands access to primary care for Kiwis and will provide an additional service to ensure New Zealanders have more access to timely and quality care.
The Government did not provide a timeframe of when the service would become operational in its announcement.
'Great to see' — College of GPs
Dr Samantha Murton, President of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said it was great to see targeted investment in general practice.
"Enabling doctors to learn in general practice and other primary care settings and supporting services to have them will help to grow our workforce," she said. "Having incentives for nurses to go into general practice will help make primary care nursing more attractive and expand our workforce to deliver on the health targets.
"We agree that focusing attention and resources on general practice and primary care will go a long way to turning around our health services."
Chair of General Practice NZ Dr Bryan Betty also said the funding boost was a crucial step towards ensuring that New Zealanders can access timely, high-quality healthcare.
"We have long called for greater investment in general practice to address growing pressures," he said. "While there is still a lot more to do, today’s announcement certainly makes us feel heard.”
SHARE ME