Local nurse in Govt scheme

Health Minister Tony Ryall . Photo/File

One of 48 nursing scholarships granted by the Ministry of Health is being given to a graduate working in Wanganui.

The graduate will be working between Gonville Health and Castlecliff Health Centre, according to Barb Cornor, clinical services manager for Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation.

Health Minister Tony Ryall announced scholarships would be granted to 48 nurses to work in general practices in some of New Zealand's higher-need communities.

"There has been a lot of interest in the scholarships from both the nurse graduates and general practices," Mr Ryall said.

"As a result, the original plan for 30 scholarships has been increased to 48."

Mr Ryall announced in September the Government would invest an extra $16 million over four years to support Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) practices. That included a one-off $1.5 million scholarship fund for the 30 graduate nurses.

The Government will now increase that fund to $2.4 million.

Funding for the VLCA scheme has increased by more than 85 per cent in the past six years to $50 million this financial year.

"We want even more new graduate nurses working in our higher-need communities," Mr Ryall said. "A strong primary health care system is central to improving the health of New Zealanders."

The 48 graduate nurses will work alongside GPs, practice nurses and other member of the general practice team.