ACT is saying the right things about the GP crisis, but doctors are concerned the party’s proposed funding will end up in the wrong places.
The policy is a proposed increase in funding of $100 million per year for the next four years.
ACT says the funding is to help practices “offer competitive remuneration, retain experienced staff, and encourage doctors to remain in practice rather than retire early or move overseas”.
General Practitioners Aotearoa (GPA) says ACT is the first party to propose a solution to this fundamental issue affecting our health system.
“I really, truly want to thank ACT for bringing this kōrero into the election discourse,” says GPA spokesperson Dr Buzz Burrell.
“Policy and funding to retain GPs and open up more appointments is precisely what we’ve been asking for, and it’s the absolute essential first step to fixing the broken health system.”
However, he says the party’s announcement is little more than kōrero.
“ACT is dressing up a simple funding policy with some slick talk.”
The funding is not tied to any policy or guarantees that it will be used for the stated purposes.
“It’s a basic capitation uplift, and not even a particularly big one,” Burrell says.
Capitation funding goes to primary health organisations (PHOs), which in turn distribute it to clinics, which make their own hiring and pay decisions.
“There are plenty of opportunities along the way for these funds to go anywhere other than hiring and retaining GPs,” Burrell says.
He says there is still an opportunity for the party to walk the talk.
“I’d like to see ACT follow this up with a policy that incentivises PHOs and clinics to spend the funding on GP retention.
“GPA is happy to work with the ACT on policy to make sure the funding goes where they want it to.”
