Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners president Dr Samantha Murton. Photo: Supplied
Doctors are welcoming the government's move to fully fund specialist GP training.
Previously, medical graduates only had their first year of specialist general practitioner training paid for, but now all three years would be covered.
The government would also cover the exam costs for about 200 trainees, and full education costs for about 400 year 2 and 3 trainees each year.
President of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners - which delivers the 'General Practice Education Programme' - Dr Samantha Murton, said the changes brought GP training in line with all other medical training across New Zealand and Australia.
"This funding will be a gamechanger for current and future trainees. This is a significant acknowledgement for the specialism of the general practice workforce and the vital role we play in healthcare being as important as those of our peers in secondary hospital settings.
"Not only will this funding offer the necessary financial support our GP registrars need throughout their training, but we are optimistic that the news will encourage medical graduates who have an interest in general practice but have been put off by the financial barriers to make the step to train as a specialist GP. To them, I say welcome and you won't regret your decision."
Chief executive Toby Beaglehole said the college was enthusiastic that primary care funding was heading in the right direction.
"We are focused on building a sustainable workforce for the future, which starts with training and the equitability of our program costs to other specialist medical training.
"This funding sends a signal to the sector that the expertise of general practice is valued as a vital part of the health system."
'People shouldn't have to wait weeks to see a doctor' - minister
Announcing the changes at a GP conference on Friday, Health Minister Simeon Brown said they would help improve New Zealanders' access to primary healthcare.
Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo: Calvin Samuel / RNZ
He also announced the government's funding method for GP clinics, known as capitation, would be updated for the first time in more than 20 years, with changes taking effect from 1 July, 2026.
"The current model is outdated and doesn't reflect the needs of patients. The revised formula will go beyond just age and sex, to also include multimorbidity, rurality, and socioeconomic deprivation," Brown said.
"These changes will better distribute funding to where it's needed most, so that GP clinics with a higher needs population of enrolled patients will receive more funding to care for them."
A new national health target would be developed with the primary care sector, proposing to ensure that more than 80 percent of people could see a primary care provider within one week.
"People shouldn't have to wait weeks to see a doctor. Delays can lead to poorer health outcomes, more pressure on hospitals, and growing frustration for patients. We're focused on delivering timely, quality care that puts patients first."
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