GPA news
General Practitioners Aotearoa in the media this week September 2-6
This week kicked off with a very important article by the New Zealand Herald‘s Michael Morrah: Healthcare crisis: Desperate patients queue from 6am at Ōtara clinic for doctor visits We at General Practitioners Aotearoa responded to this by reaching out directly to Michael, and writing our own response highlighting the wider implications of this story:…
VIDEO: GPs warn of primary care collapse in New Zealand
New Zealand Herald journalist Michael Morrah interviewed GPA chair Dr Buzz Burrell to talk about the bleak state of primary care in Aotearoa.
GPs should be lining up around the block, too
This media release is in response to the New Zealand Herald story on September 2, 2024, titled “Healthcare crisis: Desperate patients queue from 6am at Ōtara clinic for doctor visits“.Tuesday’s New Zealand Herald story about patients queueing at 6am outside a clinic in Ōtara highlighted the dire situation with health clinics in Aotearoa.“We shouldn’t see…
Which after hours medical service are they coming for next?
This press release is in response to the Stuff story on August 28, 2024, titled “Leaked documents reveal plan to close after hours GP services on the West Coast“.General practitioners (GPs) say health clinics around the country are struggling to keep the doors open during the day, let alone after hours.In the near future, patients…
The laws and guidelines around name suppression for doctors involved in legal & HDC cases
A recent case of a general practitioner being named in the media regarding their involvement in treating a child who tragically died in Kaikōura has caused a lot of concern in the GP community.We have collated some information and sought advice on name suppression, and what you can do to protect yourself in similar circumstances.What…
Open letter to the incoming Commissioner of Health New Zealand
From Dr Buzz Burell, interim Chair of General Practitioners AotearoaDear Professor Lester Levy,Firstly, please accept our congratulations on being appointed commissioner for Health New Zealand.Secondly, permit us to introduce ourselves – General Practitioners Aotearoa (GPA). After the demise of the New Zealand Medical Association, there was a gap in advocacy for doctors working in primary…
General Practitioners Aotearoa signs memorandum of understanding with GenPro
General Practitioners Aotearoa (GPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Practice Owners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (GenPro), to help the two organisations build a relationship and collaborate on behalf of GPs.We are keen to work with GenPro and collaborate on certain opportunities. Both organisations remain independent of each other, and reserve the…
GP advocacy information event – Who is Who in the Zoo?
The Auckland Faculty Board of the College of GPs is hosting an event on advocacy on Wednesday 28th February at the Parnell Conference Centre from 6.45pm (arrival and drinks) for a 7pm start, concluding at 8.30pm. Present at this event will be a panel of representatives from the organisations involved in advocating for GPs and…
Response to Pharmac proposal to extend childhood vaccinations to pharmacists
From the members and Board of General Practitioners AotearoaDear Colleagues,Thank you for asking for feedback on the proposal to extend vaccinations to pharmacists.We acknowledge there is a serious shortfall in vaccination targets in New Zealand, some areas having rates as low as 60-70%. Internationally there are concerning cases of preventable diseases like polio now being…
Briefing to the incoming Minister of Health
From the members and Board of General Practitioners AotearoaTo the Honourable Dr Shane Reti,First and foremost, many congratulations on being elected Minister of Health. We are hopeful having a current colleague as Minister will result in an excellent working relationship with you, and an informed understanding of the issues.As a newly formed representative organisation and…