Good news but…. says College of GPs

Media release from the College of GPs in reaction to the release today of the Budget for 2006.

Good news but…. says College of GPs

The College of GPs today welcomed the expansion of the health vote, taking it to a total 21 per cent of government expenditure. RNZCGP president Dr Jonathan Fox said College members widely support specific expenditure on children and aged care.

He warned, however, that with medical costs rising faster than the CPI, the increased funding would probably only maintain the status quo. “The Minister of Health’s indication that there was ‘more work ahead … to build the health workforce’ is an important acknowledgement of needed action,” but Dr Fox said it only highlighted the College’s major concern at the continued deferral of health workforce decisions.

“The Minister calls this a budget for ‘those yet to come’. Unless decisions are promptly made, there will not be a primary health workforce available to care for them.” Dr Fox said.

ENDS

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