GPNZ membership growing and now supports healthcare needs of 4 million New Zealanders

8 May 2020

General Practice New Zealand is delighted to welcome its newest member Total Healthcare, to the organisation.

This addition sees 20 Primary Health Organisation (PHO) members now representing the primary health care needs of over 4 million New Zealanders.

“Our executive committee welcomed the GPNZ membership move,” says Mark Vella - Total Health Care CEO.

“We will retain our mandate at the PSAAP table representing our largely high needs PHO under this arrangement. However, we felt it worthwhile to have a more formal association with GPNZ in recognition of how they have been able to support PHOs, showcasing our agility and readiness to step up in times of need to the Ministry of Health and DHBs.”

Total Health Care supports a population of 230,000 people across the metropolitan Auckland region, nearly two thirds of whom are deemed high needs.

Since March, GPNZ has been the main communication conduit between the Ministry of Health, national DHBs, Healthline and organised primary care. GPNZ has successfully advocated to secure $37 million in financial and sustainability support for General Practice and continues discussions around additional investment in proactive care for those with long term conditions who may be worst affected by respiratory issues during winter 2020.

The organisation continues to work with the Ministry of Health and TAS to refine and build on sustainability understanding with general practice and how recent additional investment in general practice has been utilised.

“Discussions between central Government and General Practice are encouraging and we look forward to continued advocacy focusing on post Covid-19 deferred care impacts for member organisations and their practice networks,” says Dr Jeff Lowe GPNZ Chair.