Budget 2024: Tū Ora Compass Health response to Budget 2024 announcement

Tū Ora Compass Health is underwhelmed at the investment for Primary Care announced in Budget 2024.

Chief Executive Justine Thorpe said that Budget 24 continues to raise concerns around General Practice sustainability into the future.

“Many of our practices are already working very close to the edge to ensure they remain sustainable and accessible to their communities. We provided up-to-date information for the Sapere capitation report, and we expect Te Whatu Ora to collaborate with the sector to address the entrenched issues in the current funding formula over the next 12 months to ensure general practice sustainability.

“Without funding primary care and capitation appropriately, we risk practices increasing patient co-payments, increasing access challenges for our communities, or closing their doors altogether, adding pressure in other areas of the health system.

“We knew that this budget wasn’t going to solve our problems, but our practice teams continue to face more challenges every day and without proper support, they will continue to struggle further. Time is running out and sustainability must be addressed.

“General Practice Teams are the front line in supporting our community to get well and stay well, before requiring more advanced care in hospital services. Ensuring our communities can access appropriate primary care when they need it, is an obvious economic benefit for the longer-term sustainability of the health system, why do we have to keep waiting?

“I also acknowledge the funding to support training 25 new doctors, however with a growing and aging population, it is very clear that this number won’t scratch the surface on building the GP workforce that we require.

“The removal of free prescriptions for all is disappointing, but not a surprise. I am glad to see that free prescriptions will still be kept available to our communities who need it most, ensuring they can continue to access medications they may otherwise not be able to.

“We will continue to strongly advocate for primary care and general practice sustainability and welcome discussions with the Minister, Government and Te Whatu Ora to reiterate the importance of primary care”.