When need trumps equity…and more 

Martin Johnston pulls together recent happenings as the Government strives to replace “equity” with “need” as a key driver of health priorities. Regular Just Wondering columnist and specialist GP Lucy O’Hagan takes prime minister Christopher Luxon to task over his criticism of doctors for prioritising young Māori and Pasifika patients. She ponders: If healthcare isn’t based on ethnicity, how will we truly capture those with the highest need?

Air New Zealand has apologised for seeking detailed preflight medical information from a passenger with stable Crohn disease, after being challenged by the woman’s Wellington specialist GP. Reporter Martin Johnston looks at the dogged steps Shane Dunphy took to get clarity for all GPs on the airline’s requirements.

A destructive rewriting of history or responsible bookkeeping? Reporter Alan Perrott looks at the COVID-19 audits of Pacific providers that threaten the funder/provider relationship and future pandemic responses.

Reporter Martin Johnston seeks feedback on a recent paper in the New Zealand Medical Journal detailing trends in prescribing puberty blockers. 

From solo GP duties to community care and flexible working practices, Sarah Creegan’s life is about balancing the challenges of rural medicine with love for her patients and her town. Zahra Shahtahmasebi reports on Waimate Medical Centre for this issue’s Practice Profile. 

All this and more in the latest issue of New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa. Subscribe here