Onus on DHBs to deliver better rural health

Press Release From New Zealand Rural General Practice Network

Onus on DHBs to deliver better rural health services

The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network has welcomed the Budget’s health funding boost but chairperson Kirsty Murrell-McMillan says the onus is now on DHBs to deliver services to rural communities.

DHBs are to receive $2.1 billion from a $3 billion health sector allocation announced as part of this week’s Budget.

The Government has also allocated $4 million during the next four years to encourage training in rural areas; $6.7 million to the Voluntary Bonding Scheme in the 2011/12 financial year, and $8.5 million in the 2012/13 financial year.

The initiatives have been welcomed by Ms Murrell-McMillan who says Health Minister Tony Ryall has “listened to us and delivered” in terms of training and voluntary bonding.

“The Minister of Health Tony Ryall has demonstrated a clear vision for delivery of health care services into rural communities reflected in the voluntary bonding scheme and training in the rural health context.”

However, the onus is now on DHBs to deliver better care, including after-hours, to rural communities.

Patients in rural communities have the right to have face-to-face consultations with the same advantages as people in urban centres.

It is important that DHBs plan to provide after-hours cover specifically for rural areas and that they use some of the extra $2.1 billion allocated in the budget to discharge that duty to those communities, says Ms Murrell-McMillan.

“It’s not about the Government, the Government has been fiscally responsible, the onus is on the DHBs to deliver to rural communities.

“The DHBs now have a duty to flow funding through to after-hours and to address health access for rural communities.

“We want the focus to be on communities and people. Rural communities are producing income for the country. DHBs need to be cognisant of the need for equal access for health support for rural communities.

“Access to health care is not the same as in urban areas. Rural people don’t have the option of going to A and E.

“It is my belief that DHBs have been given that responsibility and that they need to provide robust after-hours cover for rural people.”

On the training front, Ms Murrell-McMillan stressed that the $4 million funding allocation is for developing the whole rural health workforce – midwives, nurses, pharmacists, physios and doctors.

ENDS

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