Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)
General practice owners want the next Government to build on recent investment and direct a greater share of health spending into primary care, according to a new GenPro survey of political party health policies.
The survey of 132 general practice respondents found particularly strong support for policies that increase primary care funding, strengthen the health workforce, reduce administrative burdens and put greater emphasis on prevention.
GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers said the results reflected the experience of a sector that has endured several years of severe financial and workforce pressure but is now showing signs of stabilising.
“General practice has been through an extremely difficult period. There are now some encouraging signs but a lot more needs to be done, a fact thankfully recognised by most if not all the main political parties contesting the election,” Dr Chambers said.
The strongest feedback in the poll was for the Opportunity Party proposal to increase the proportion of Health New Zealand funding spent on primary care, supported by 93% of respondents. Its proposal to increase primary care funding from 5.7% to 10% of Health New Zealand’s budget received 89% support.
ACT’s proposed permanent $100 million annual increase in general practice funding was supported by 86%, while 71% backed streamlining registration processes for overseas-trained doctors.
Dr Chambers said the results showed strong support for making primary care a much greater priority within the health system.
“The message from general practice is remarkably consistent. New Zealand needs to invest more in primary care and give practices the resources and workforce they need to provide patients with timely, high-quality care.
“We have seen what can happen when government invests in general practice. The challenge for the next Government is to build on that progress,” Dr Chambers said.
“There are different ideas across the political spectrum about how to achieve that, but the strongest support is going to policies that strengthen the capacity and sustainability of primary care.”
Prevention also emerged as a strong theme. National’s proposal to lower the bowel screening age, free cervical screening, completing the extension of free breast screening to age 74 by 2029, and new lung and prostate cancer screening pilots were all well supported by general practices.
The Green Party’s proposal for greater emphasis on prevention and community-based healthcare drew 80% support, while the same proportion backed New Zealand First’s proposal to reduce administrative and compliance burdens on general practice.
There was also significant backing for innovation and new ways of delivering care. Labour’s proposed review of telehealth funding was supported by 77%, its digital innovation fund for primary care clinics by 71%, and low-interest loans to help younger doctors buy into general practices by 66%.
Respondents were more cautious about some proposals focused on expanding free access. Labour’s three free GP visits a year attracted 14% support, while the Green Party’s proposal for free and universal access to GP and other health services received 21% support.
“Accessibility and affordability matter enormously, but they need to go hand in hand with investment in the capacity of general practice,” Dr Chambers said.
“Ultimately, patients need to be able to get an appointment. That requires a sustainable network of practices, enough doctors and nurses, and funding that reflects the cost of providing care.”
When respondents were asked which party they would vote for based solely on health policy, the Opportunity Party was selected by 42%, followed by National on 19% and ACT on 13%. Labour and the Green Party each received 8%, New Zealand First 0.8%, while 9.1% selected undecided or none.
“This isn’t a prediction of the election result. What it does provide is a useful indication of which health policies resonate with people running general practices,” Dr Chambers said.
“Whoever forms the next Government, our message is straightforward: strengthening primary care is one of the best investments New Zealand can make in the future of its health system,” Dr Chamber said.