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The reality of safe after-hours care

MEDIA RELEASE

31 July 2007


The reality of safe after-hours care


The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network (NZRGPN) was interested in TV3’s recent news story on a Dunedin pensioner who had to pay over $300 to get emergency medical help after hours in Wanaka.

The story reinforces the NZRGPN’s position that the provision of 24/7 oncall after-hours care is the most significant issue facing rural practitioners and the communities they serve.

“Adequately addressing this one issue is the best chance New Zealand has of significantly improving retention and recruitment of rural GPs and nurses," said Dr Tim Malloy, NZRGPN chair.

The issue encapsulates a problem evident throughout New Zealand, and is the result of a shortage of GPs in rural areas.

The Network acknowledges the inroads made by the Government to address workforces shortages in the health sector, such as the rural immersion programme, increased general practice training places and plans to shorten the medical training programme.

However, it cannot be denied that the current workforce shortage is a national problem. It is most evident in rural communities but if not addressed will filter through to urban communities.

“The issue of 'oncall workload' must be addressed if newly trained general practitioners and nurses are ever to be attracted to work in rural practice," said Dr Tim Malloy, NZRGPN chair.

Rural communities are the backbone of our economy. As such, their health is paramount.

The NZRGPN believes the solution to providing safe after-hours care lies in additional resourcing. This would enable retention of the existing workforce, recruitment of new entrants, and the setting of realistic workloads.

ENDS

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