New GP funding system wastes funding on those not in need

Dr Lynda Scott - National Health Spokesperson

The majority of New Zealanders will miss out on the new primary health care money announced today because the Government has decided to fund by location, says National Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott.

“To qualify for the funding GPs have to be part of a Primary Health Organisation in which 50% of patients ‘high needs’ patients, defined as Maori, Pacific Island or deprived.

“The other 50% of patients under the PHO will get cheap doctor’s visits regardless of their income, while other high needs patients miss out because their doctors don’t qualify for the funding.

“This is a totally unfair and divisive funding formula because it funds patients on ‘location, location, location’ rather than need or ability to pay.

“No one disagrees that primary health care needs new money, but this inequitable system is the wrong way to do it.

“National believes the money should be targeted to the individual based on their health needs and ability to pay, not where they live. This system is fraught many and New Zealanders simply won’t accept it,” says Dr Scott.

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