Latest news with #GeneralPracticeOwnersAssociation
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Patient Fees Could Rise 10 Percent Or More After Déjà Vu Budget Ignores General Practice
Press Release – General Practice Owners Association GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers said the Budget was a missed opportunity and primary healthcare is hugely disappointed once again. The General Practice Owners Association says patient fees could rise by 10 percent or more this year just to cover costs after the Budget did nothing to fix a funding and retention crisis in primary healthcare. GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers said the Budget was a missed opportunity and primary healthcare is hugely disappointed once again. 'The government currently puts $1.3 billion or just 4 percent of its $30 billion health budget toward general practice. A 10 percent uplift was urgently required in 2025/26 just to catch up and maintain existing services, with more investment needed in later years. It didn't happen. 'General practice will have a feeling of déjà vu after successive Budgets have failed to increase government funding to keep pace with rising costs and more complex health needs. The result is that patients are waiting longer to see a doctor, practices are closing or reducing their services, and have significant staff shortages.' On top of the 10 percent increase in funding that was needed not materialising, general practices will also have to adjust to prescription renewals being extended from three months to one year. 'Some general practices are at breaking point, and we'll forego further income due to prescription changes. The end result is that communities are at risk of losing their family doctors.' With nothing in the Budget, GenPro said its one remaining hope is that Health New Zealand uses its increase in operational funding to significantly increase funding for general practice when it makes its annual adjustment in June. 'We have to remain hopeful that Health New Zealand will use its operational budget to support general practice, although this hasn't happened in the past to the extent that is needed,' said Dr Chambers. GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Patient Fees Could Rise 10 Percent Or More After Déjà Vu Budget Ignores General Practice
The General Practice Owners Association says patient fees could rise by 10 percent or more this year just to cover costs after the Budget did nothing to fix a funding and retention crisis in primary healthcare. GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers said the Budget was a missed opportunity and primary healthcare is hugely disappointed once again. 'The government currently puts $1.3 billion or just 4 percent of its $30 billion health budget toward general practice. A 10 percent uplift was urgently required in 2025/26 just to catch up and maintain existing services, with more investment needed in later years. It didn't happen. 'General practice will have a feeling of déjà vu after successive Budgets have failed to increase government funding to keep pace with rising costs and more complex health needs. The result is that patients are waiting longer to see a doctor, practices are closing or reducing their services, and have significant staff shortages.' On top of the 10 percent increase in funding that was needed not materialising, general practices will also have to adjust to prescription renewals being extended from three months to one year. 'Some general practices are at breaking point, and we'll forego further income due to prescription changes. The end result is that communities are at risk of losing their family doctors.' With nothing in the Budget, GenPro said its one remaining hope is that Health New Zealand uses its increase in operational funding to significantly increase funding for general practice when it makes its annual adjustment in June. 'We have to remain hopeful that Health New Zealand will use its operational budget to support general practice, although this hasn't happened in the past to the extent that is needed,' said Dr Chambers. GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Urgent And After-Hours Care Support Welcome, But Budget Must Tackle GP Funding And Retention
The General Practice Owners Association is welcoming a $41 million a year uplift in funding for urgent and after-hours care services and hopes the government's newly proactive approach to supporting family doctors continues in Thursday's Budget. 'The after-hours and urgent care system is under considerable stress - about 10 urgent care services closed in the last two years - so it's encouraging the government is funding improvement to urgent and after-hours care, but the devil is in the detail,' said Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of GenPro. In particular more detail is required on rural services, which are under considerable stress, and on the split in funds for five new regional services, the expansion of others, and support for those already operating. 'This $164 million injection over four years and other recent announcements by senior ministers show the government is serious about tackling the crisis in primary health care. 'Looking forward, the best thing the Budget could contain is a 10 percent uplift in the government's contribution to general practice, which covers approximately half a patient's consultation fee. 'The government's contribution has gradually fallen over the past 20 years, a period when an aging population, changing health needs, rising costs, and stretched hospitals have piled more work and cost on family doctors. 'The result is that many general practices have closed or reduced their services, GP salaries have failed to keep pace with overseas, and recruitment hasn't kept up with GPs leaving or retiring. We expect considerable upward pressure on patient fees unless there is a substantial funding boost in the Budget. 'The government currently puts $1.3 billion or just 4 percent of its $30 billion health budget toward general practice. A 10 percent uplift is urgently required in 2025/26 just to catch up and maintain existing services, with more investment needed in later years. 'General practice would also like the Budget to include progress on a new method for funding general practice to replace the current flawed 'capitation' model. 'A new model has been worked on for years by successive governments. But we're still waiting for an outcome. The need is urgent as the old model hasn't kept pace with the needs of patients and is resulting in longer waiting times to see a family doctor,' Dr Chambers said. GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit
RNZ News
18-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Govt announces $164 million for new urgent care services
The government has announced $164 million has been allocated to boost urgent care services across the country over the next four years. General Practice Owners Association Angus Chambers spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
