Solution suggested to GPs shortage

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists wants District Health Boards to directly employ general practitioners to ward off a threatened shortage.

Following a survey out yesterday which showed 40 per cent of current GPs said they would quit within five years, ASMS executive director Ian Powell said the Government should encourage DHBs to directly employ salaried GPs.

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) survey revealed a stressed and diminishing general practice workforce ageing faster than it was being replenished.

"Salaried employment within DHBs in areas where there are serious recruitment and retention difficulties would allow GPs to be covered by the senior doctors' national collective agreement which would bring them many benefits," ASMS's Mr Powell said.

While the measure would not solve looming shortages it would go some way, as it would offer GPs better work-life balance and attract those who did not want to run a business as well as be a doctor.

Health Minister Pete Hodgson said the idea had merit and was already used on the West Coast. However, it was up to individual DHBs.

He said: "It's their call. I don't think DHBs would want to set up in direct competition with the small businesses that supply GP services in their town or region.

"But I do think that where you've got a shortage of doctors such as in the West Coast that DHB involvement seems to have worked. Kapiti Coast comes to mind."

Mr Hodgson was also open to looking at more funding for training GPs.

National Party health spokesman Tony Ryall and Green MP Sue Kedgley joined the RNZCGP, New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) and other groups and individuals calling for more GPs to be trained.

Mr Hodgson said more funding for training was worth considering but pointed out that, previously, post-graduate places weren't filled.

"I think that's something we need to be quite open to but it's also a matter of fact that the 53 places we had even three years ago weren't filled.

"The fact we've now got more people wanting to do it than able to do it is quite a recent thing and I'm grateful they've pointed it out to me so clearly."

Mr Hodgson said the number of GPs had increased by 1000 to 3000 in the past 20 years.

New Zealand had fewer GPs per head of population than Australia but more than Britain and a recent comparison with Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany showed New Zealanders, more than people in those countries, could see their GP the same day they called.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation chief executive Geoff Annals said nurses could play an increased role in GP surgeries but would need better pay.

NZNO members are currently in negotiations for a multi-employer contract.

Mr Hodgson said the Government had put significant money into primary health organisations. It was up to practices to decide if they wanted to use the funding to hire nurses.

"There's no particular reason why the increase in workload that will come in the way of PHOs can't be taken up quite properly...by nurses who are trained in the area. I can see solutions written all over that."

Mr Hodgson said all parts of the health sector wanted more staff but problems were not out of control.

"I do not think we are in meltdown, I do not think we are in crisis and I do not think we have other than the best GP system of (comparable) countries."

- NZPA