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Why is general practice failing when it is working so hard? Look to the numbers
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Why is general practice failing when it is working so hard? Look to the numbers
Wednesday 11 October 2023, 04:30 AM
![3D bar graph [Алекс Арцибашев on Unsplash]](/sites/default/files/styles/cropped_image_16_7_/public/2023-10/lxrcbsv-vVHXeu0YNbk-unsplash.jpg?itok=FmV4sD9I)
[Image: Алекс Арцибашев on Unsplash]
In the past few weeks of electioneering, political rhetoric suggests the parties, yet again, discovered general practice and primary care are important and underfunded, have a workforce that is hurting, and can be fixed (if only New Zealanders “vote the right way”). But the numbers show no political party has lived up to its promises and confirm the problems afflicting general practice have been years in the making. Journalist Fiona Cassie spent hours searching for data to explain why general practice finds itself working so hard but ultimately often failing to live up to its own expectations of good care.
WORKFORCE, Declining workforce
Doctors working in general practice make up 25 per cent of the medical workforce, compared with 37 per cent in 2000.1
Slow g
References
1. The New Zealand Medical Workforce in 2022. Wellington: Medical Council of New Zealand; 2022.
https://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/Publications/Workforce-Survey/64f90670c8…
2. “Latest GP numbers improve but still lag behind other specialities.” New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa, 18 July 2023 (personal request).
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/latest-gp-numbers-improve-still-lag-behind-other-specialties
3. “Population growth rebounds on removal of COVID border restrictions.” Stats NZ
.https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/population-growth-rebounds-on-removal-of-covid-border-restrictions/
4. Te Rangahau Ohu Mahi The Workforce Survey 2022. Wellington: RNZCGP; 2023.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/Collection-workfarce
5. “Local marae across Aotearoa will host GPEP orientation this month.” New Zealand Doctor; 1 February 2023.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/local-marae-across-aotearoa-will-host-gpep-orientation-month
6. “RNZCGP welcomes highest intake of GP registrars in more than 10 years.” New Zealand Doctor; 2 February 2021.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/rnzcgp-welcomes-highest-intake-gp-registrars-more-10-years
7. “Medical graduates” – OECD Data
https://data.oecd.org/healthres/medical-graduates.htm#indicator-chart
8. “Nursing graduates” – OECD Data
https://data.oecd.org/healthres/nursing-graduates.htm#indicator-chart
9. Raymont, A, Lay-Yee, R, Davis P, et al. Family Doctors: Methodology and description of the activity of private GPs. Wellington, Ministry of Health; 2004.
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/report1familygpsall.pdf
10. New Zealand Health Survey – Ministry of Health
13. Regional Economic Profile. New Zealand – Infometrics
https://ecoprofile.infometrics.co.nz/new%20zealand/Population/AgeComposition
17. GenPro Financial Analysis and Benchmarking Report (unpublished draft). Auckland: Grant Thornton; 2023.
21. “Survey paints damning picture of pressure GPs are under.” New Zealand Doctor; 31 August 2023.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/survey-paints-damning-picture-pressure-gps-are-under
22. “Practices with closed books have risen four-fold since 2019.” New Zealand Doctor; 24 November 2022.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/practices-closed-books-have-risen-four-fold-2019
23. PHO Closed Books Stocktake Report 2022. Wellington: GPNZ; 2022.
https://gpnz.org.nz/publications/pho-closed-books-stocktake-report-2022/
11. “Low response to first round of Te Whatu Ora waiting list review.” New Zealand Doctor; 22 August 2023.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/low-response-first-round-te-wha…
12. “Wellington’s non-cancer access difficulties repeated in Canterbury.” New Zealand Doctor; 26 September 2023.
14. Middleton L, Dunn P, O’Loughlin C, et al. Taking Stock: primary care innovation. Wellington: Productivity Commission; 2018.
15. Health minister Andrew Little speech to Rotorua GPCME 2022.
16. Cumming, J. Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary health care strategy: equity enhancing in policy and in practice? The Lancet Global Health; Working Paper: 2022.
18. Health and Independence Report 2022. Wellington: Ministry of Health; 2023.
19. “Nurse shortages force 43 per cent of practices to curtail services.” New Zealand Doctor; 27 September 2023.
20. “Te Whatu Ora frustrated union rejects settlement offer.” Media statement – Te Whatu Ora, 4 September 2023.
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