GPs reject funding offer of 5%

General practice (GP) organisations have rejected the Government’s proposed 5% funding increase from July 1, saying an increase of at least 14% is needed to keep services going.

In a joint letter to Te Whatu Ora, the General Practice Leaders Forum (GPLF) said a 5% increase in the fee paid to GPs would not address the emergency crisis the sector was facing, and would likely compound current workforce and cost pressures.

The organisation representing GPs has gone to Te Whatu Ora with a counterproposal it says includes workforce solutions as well as additional funding.

It insists there’s no doubt more investment in general practice is needed to avoid harm to Kiwis.

‘‘People need to be able to enrol with a GP, to be able to get an appointment with their practice in a timely way, and to be able to afford an appointment when they need one,’’ Hauora Taiwhenua/Rural Health Network chairperson Dr Fiona Bolden said.

‘‘Sadly, this is an increasingly difficult scenario for many New Zealanders.’’

GPLF has set out a 20-point plan designed to build and support the GP workforce, and said an increase of at least 14% was needed to keep services going.

‘‘General practice can do more if it is resourced to do more,’’ General Practice New Zealand chairperson Dr Bryan Betty said.

One-third of general practices were unable to take on any new patients and half of all GP doctors said they were burnt out, a GPLF spokesperson said.

A survey last year found the number of GPs per 100,000 people was projected to fall from 74 in 2021 to 70 in 2031.

‘‘That is a big reduction, especially when we know that 10 extra GPs per 100,000 people means about 30 people a year wouldn’t die from cancer, respiratory, and cardiovascular issues,’’ Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners president Dr Sam Murton said.

If all 425 GPs currently over retirement age left the workforce now, about 725,000 patients would be left without a doctor. ‘‘It’s clear the situation is both desperate and growing,’’ Murton said.

A year ago, the GPLF rejected a 3% proposed increase in GP funding.

‘‘The funding model currently in use by the Government doesn’t accurately reflect the real costs of running a general practice,’’ GenPro chairperson Dr Tim Malloy said.

‘‘Our members are clear, they are struggling to recruit and retain staff. Many wonder how they’ll keep their doors open unless we get this much-needed investment.’’