New research has found primary healthcare has not increased in its share of the total health budget, and barely in real terms, since 2009 Photo: RNZ
Government spending on primary healthcare has not increased in its share of the total health budget, and barely in real terms, since 2009, according to new research.
The study - published in the journal of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners on Thursday - is the first analysis of primary healthcare as a share of health funding.
Researchers from Victoria University's Health Services Research Centre found, on average, New Zealand allocated 5.4 percent of its health budget to primary care between 2009 and 2023.
Funding for primary care "in nominal terms" nearly doubled in that time from $667 million to $1277m, which equalled a 30 percent increase in real terms.
"Taking into account population growth, PHC [primary healthcare] funding per capita in real terms remained fairly stable, showing a 7 percent growth over the period."
This raised concerns about whether PHC was "truly being prioritised", the researchers said.
Patients missing out on primary care were putting more pressure on hospitals, which meant acute services took a larger share of the funding, perpetuating the cycle.
"When patients face long waits, have to pay for visits, or are not happy with the care received, they turn to using 24-hr hospital services (free in NZ) for their basic needs. This leads to more funding going to specialised care as it becomes more overwhelmed with demand, which further erodes PHC resources."
The research called for stronger financial prioritisation of primary care, routine monitoring and minimum funding benchmarks "to ensure resilience and equity of the health system".
Health Minister Simeon Brown said improving access to GPs for New Zealanders was "a top priority" for him.
"It is concerning that too many Kiwis are waiting too long to get a doctor's appointment.
"That is why we have made several announcements targeted at increasing the number of doctors and nurses in primary care as well as increased funding for General Practice."
Brown said he had also asked officials for advice on a report he had received from retired accountant Murray Lilley, which raised concerns about front-line service delivery by primary health organisations.
"My expectation is that funding for primary health care is targeted towards front-line service delivery, not back office bureaucracy, so that Kiwis can access primary healthcare in a timely manner."
The government was also seeking to boost the GP workforce through providing more placements for overseas trained doctors and GP trainees, nurses and investing in telehealth, he said.
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