Latest news with #BindiNorwell
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
No New Spending Announced For Primary Care In Budget 2025
Press Release – ProCare Health Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, has called today's Budget extremely disappointing for primary care, with no new spending announced. While the Budget document touts a significant investment of $440.7 million over five years, the reality is that none of that is new money. Bindi Norwell, CEO at ProCare says: 'Whist we acknowledge and welcome the pre-announced money which will help improve access, retention, and performance in general practice; the Government has not further invested in the wider primary care system as was anticipated by the sector. 'Last year's commitment to health care barely covered inflation and population growth, let alone addressing the issues we have with an aging population. This year's new commitment is a paltry sum with additional requirements, that in real terms suggests the government investment in primary care is going backwards. 'While our colleagues in secondary care will likely be welcoming the announcement, particularly the infrastructure investment for new hospitals, the reality is that primary care is once again missing out. Primary care has been underfunded for years now and is in desperate need of a significant funding investment,' continues Norwell. 'It's integral to invest in preventative care to keep people out of hospitals. Research shows that every dollar invested in general practice saves around $13 to $15 in secondary healthcare costs. Not investing more seems counter-intuitive to keeping our population well and to saving money in the long run,' points out Norwell. 'Today's announcement will likely hit consumers hard, as practices will likely need to increase their fees again to cover the costs of keeping the lights on and paying their staff,' concludes Norwell. About ProCare ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand's largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
ProCare Concerned By 12-Month Prescribing Extension In Budget 2025
ProCare, Aotearoa New Zealand's largest network of general practices, is concerned that the Government has chosen to disregard sector feedback by announcing a full 12-month repeat prescribing extension in Budget 2025, bypassing a more balanced 6-month approach recommended in formal submissions made in October 2024. ProCare's submission to Manatū Hauora in October 2024 made a strong case for a staged approach, recommending a 6-month limit in the first instance, with potential for further extension once safety and equity impacts were evaluated. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: 'While we acknowledge the Government's intention to ease pressure on the health system and reduce costs for patients, we remain deeply concerned about the patient safety implications, equity risks, and unintended consequences for the primary care workforce. 'We believe a 6-month prescribing model would have achieved a much better balance. It would have reduced unnecessary appointments and made access easier for patients, without undermining the crucial relationship between patients and their primary care teams,' continues Norwell. ProCare supports increased efficiency in repeat prescribing, but believes that 12-month prescriptions risk reducing proactive clinical oversight, particularly for patients with long-term or complex health conditions. We are particularly concerned for some of our vulnerable communities with limited health literacy or those with minimal engagement with general practice. Dr Allan Moffitt, Clinical Director at ProCare says: 'General practices are already under significant pressure. This change risks creating longer and more complex consultations down the line, and may reduce opportunities to catch early signs of deterioration in a patient's condition. We also have questions around the allocation of the $10 million allocated, and if it is going to mainly cover technical changes, rather than educating patients on the need to maintain strong relationships with their General Practice care teams.' ProCare warns it may destabilise continuity of care without clear guidelines and appropriate wraparound support like clinical pharmacist follow-up or nurse-led monitoring. Bindi Norwell says: 'This isn't about resisting change. It's about making sure we get it right for patients - the devil will be in the details, and our priority will be ensuring high-quality, clinically appropriate care for patients. Primary care must remain the front door of the health system, not a check-out aisle.' ProCare remains committed to working with Government to ensure that patient safety, health equity, and system sustainability are protected as these changes roll out.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
No New Spending Announced For Primary Care In Budget 2025
Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, has called today's Budget extremely disappointing for primary care, with no new spending announced. While the Budget document touts a significant investment of $440.7 million over five years, the reality is that none of that is new money. Bindi Norwell, CEO at ProCare says: 'Whist we acknowledge and welcome the pre-announced money which will help improve access, retention, and performance in general practice; the Government has not further invested in the wider primary care system as was anticipated by the sector. 'Last year's commitment to health care barely covered inflation and population growth, let alone addressing the issues we have with an aging population. This year's new commitment is a paltry sum with additional requirements, that in real terms suggests the government investment in primary care is going backwards. 'While our colleagues in secondary care will likely be welcoming the announcement, particularly the infrastructure investment for new hospitals, the reality is that primary care is once again missing out. Primary care has been underfunded for years now and is in desperate need of a significant funding investment,' continues Norwell. 'It's integral to invest in preventative care to keep people out of hospitals. Research shows that every dollar invested in general practice saves around $13 to $15 in secondary healthcare costs. Not investing more seems counter-intuitive to keeping our population well and to saving money in the long run,' points out Norwell. 'Today's announcement will likely hit consumers hard, as practices will likely need to increase their fees again to cover the costs of keeping the lights on and paying their staff,' concludes Norwell. About ProCare ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand's largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to
