Labour leader Chris Hipkins is expected to close the Labour Party’s 2025 conference with a speech and policy announcement.
Video / NZ Herald
A future Labour Government would offer doctors and nurse practitioners low-interest loans to set up new practices or buy into existing ones.
New Zealand currently has a GP shortage, which is expected to worsen as GPs retire without being replaced. A recent survey found two-thirds of GPs are expected toretire in the next decade.
Some in the sector have also warned of an emerging duopoly, with large primary healthcare providers buying up practices from retiring independent owners.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins announced the promise on Sunday at his party’s conference in Auckland this weekend.
“This is a practical, targeted way to boost locally-owned clinics across New Zealand and strengthen the ones we already have. More doctors in our communities means shorter waits for patients,” he said.
Labour will initially offer up to 50 loans a year, prioritising areas that have no GPs or practices with closed or partially closed books.
They will only be available for owner- and community-operated general practices and be repaid over 10 years. The loans will be interest-free for the first two years.
Labour has put affordable healthcare at the heart of its emerging pitch to voters at next year’s election. The party has promised to spend the majority of money raised from its capital gains tax to fund three free GP visits a year.
That policy came under fire from National and the coalition Government for being likely to put pressure on the already stretched primary care workforce.
Hipkins said the policy would help Labour achieve its promise of freeing up 4.5 million doctor’s appointments every year.
“The number of doctor-owned practices is falling, as is the number of doctors who work in doctor-owned practices. It’s expensive to start a new practice or buy into an existing one, so our low-interest loans will give doctors the kickstart they need to get established.
“Two-thirds of practice owners and partners are intending to retire in the next 10 years, so it’s vital we can support the next generation to keep the doors and books open.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks at his party's conference in Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig
Hipkins used his speech to launch a brutal attack on the current Government.
He said the Government had not been focused on voters.
“It’s put its energy to looking after tobacco companies, tech giants, property speculators and the fossil fuel industry.
“And it has failed on the two things it promised: grow the economy and fix the cost of living.
“National hasn’t gotten the country back on track – they’ve derailed it.
“No Government gets everything right, but it is rare to see one get so much wrong.
Hipkins doubled down on his healthcare pitch, producing Labour’s black “Medicard” – the card people will use to get the free doctor’s visits Labour is promising – in the midst of his speech.
