Nathan Guy MP
National Party Liaison with Senior Citizens

4 January 2006

Call for Govt action on GP shortage

National Party Senior Citizens Liaison Nathan Guy says the Government has about a year to fix the growing doctor shortage before GPs are placed under further pressure with new over-80s medical tests for driver licences.

Mr Guy says the change from compulsory driver testing for over-80s to GP medical examinations takes place in December. This means GPs will now decide whether drivers over 80 are able to hold a licence.

"Labour has passed the buck to over-worked GPs, also placing them in the position of having to tell patients they may have treated for many years that they are now incompetent to drive.

"For others, it could mean they will have to wait longer for an appointment."

Mr Guy comes from the Kapiti-Horowhenua region, which has the largest percentage of over-65s per capita in the country.

"In Horowhenua, the Government is building a new $16 million health centre, but it has failed to contract any GPs.

"In Kapiti, where a new house is completed every day to meet the population growth, the situation is more serious. There are hundreds of people without a GP and nearly all GPs have a 'no vacancy' sign up on the window."

"While I recognise that the move will take away much of the stress of sitting practical tests for over-80 drivers, it will also place far greater pressure on GPs.

"The worst case scenario is that more GPs will choose to leave the profession.

"I look forward to seeing the Government try to fill the huge shortfall of GPs across the country. A major campaign is needed to retain and recruit GPs," says Mr Guy.

ENDS

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