Everyone deserves a whānau doctor
The concept of a family doctor is under threat
- Have a long wait for appointments at your GP clinic?
- See a different doctor every time you visit?
- Feel rushed to talk about your healthcare in a 15-minute session?
- Have complex healthcare needs, but are pushed by your health clinic to book appointments with a nurse, physician associate or anyone else who is not a doctor?
You are not alone…
There are not enough whānau doctors for all New Zealanders +
Information below according to RNZCGP GP Future Workforce Requirements Report 2024
- Just 5600 GPs service 5.2 million NZers
- Aotearoa was 485 GPs short in 2024
- Over half of GPs plan to retire in the next 10 years
- Getting an appointment is only getting harder
This costs you
- Most GP clinics are privately owned, and are forced to put up appointment prices to make ends meet
- Delaying access to appointments, even by a few weeks, makes your health worse
- Delaying treatment of simple health issues can mean you need to visit the doctor more times, or take time off work to go to hospital
- When you can’t be seen by your GP, you often end up at expensive after-hours and emergency clinics
You are losing money, and your wellbeing.
This costs taxpayers
The GP crisis is costing the government enormous amounts of money in the medium-long term. When someone’s health condition goes undiagnosed and un-treated, it often develops into a bigger problem.
Minor issues can quickly escalate, and instead of being treated with cheap medication, people end up at hospital emergency departments, or even staying in hospital as an inpatient.
Every $1 spent in general practice saves the health system $10 down the line.
Why are there not enough whānau doctors? +
The fundamental problem is that the Government does not allocate enough money to general practice. This has a lot of downstream effects:
- Clinics can’t afford to hire more GPs
- Without good job prospects, trainee doctors opt for different specialties
- With not enough GPs to see everyone, the remaining GPs are overworked
- Many Kiwi GPs are considering early retirement, or moving overseas
- Looking for a financial loophole, some clinics hugely increase their patient enrolments, without increasing their staff
- Some clinics pressure nurse practitioners, nurse prescribers and physician associates to act as GPs to fill more appointments
- Remaining GPs tend to see only the most difficult health conditions, contributing to overwork
- GPs work long, unpaid hours doing all the follow-up work that doesn’t fit into a 15-minute appointment
Aotearoa’s GPs are burning out at record rates!
What can I do?
The Government needs to know this situation is not good enough. Here are some ideas:
- If you have a disappointing health story, contact General Practitioners Aotearoa at communications@gpaotearoa.co.nz. We may be able to help you tell your story to improve the system
- If you are worried about the lack of GPs, let your local MP know. Send them an email, or call in to their drop-in sessions
- Write to the Minister of Health. The current Health Minister is Hon Simeon Brown. You can find contact details for the Minister and Associate Ministers here
See some message ideas below ↓
Message ideas
Not sure what to say when you talk to your MP? Here are some pointers to get you started.
“It is important to me to have a family doctor.”
The concept of the whānau doctor is dying, and we need to let those in power know it’s not good enough. Tell them it is important to you to have your own doctor, who knows you, understands your health and sees you every time.
“The crisis is solvable – we already have doctors ready to work.”
“It’s going to cost money to fix this crisis.”
“You’ve got to spend a buck to make ten bucks.”
We need to change the entire system, together
This is a campaign by General Practitioners Aotearoa. We are an independent organisation that represents GPs. We receive no government or external funding, and are advocating for an increase in the number of GPs through better working conditions.
Read about us here
