The New Zealand Health Survey published last week shows
one in five adults – roughly one million people –
can’t get to see their general practice, with ‘time
taken to get an appointment too long’ being the most
commonly reported barrier, followed by cost.
Time
taken to get an appointment as a barrier to accessing care
has increased from 11.6 per cent to 21.2 per cent in just
one year.
“New Zealand’s general practices are
dealing with more complex medical needs, increased pressure
from patients, workforce shortages and a funding system that
has not kept pace with demand,” says Porirua-based
Specialist General Practitioner and Chair of General
Practice New Zealand, Dr Bryan Betty.
“New
Zealanders need to be able to access care in the community
earlier, but that is failing with the end result being
overflowing emergency departments and hospitals at capacity,
“adds Dr Betty.
International evidence points to
access to general practice leading to less hospital
admissions, less emergency department presentations and
longer life expectancy.
The Sapere report published
last year pointed to significant under investment alongside
issues with the way funding is structured. Investment in
primary care is a key component to getting our health system
back on track.
“Our capitation-based funding system
needs redesign. We need to rebalance the health system with
investment in primary care is now before the situation
worsens,” Dr Betty goes onto say.
Primary health
organisations (PHOs) are eager to work in partnership with
Te Whatu Ora and policy makers on workforce, model of care
and funding solutions that promote access, equity and
outcomes.
“We had a world class health system – we
cannot allow that to be put at risk. The time for action is
now.”
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