Editorial: Addressing falling GP numbers a priority

Andrew Austin, Editor of Hawke's Bay Today.

It is good to see that Health Hawke's Bay and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board are working together to find a solution to what appears to be a case of falling numbers of general practitioners.

It is the same story around the country and the recently released Royal College of General Practitioners 2015 workforce survey report highlighted the fact, which shows itself in waiting lists for patients wishing to enrol with a practice, and practices with closed books.

The report said that in some regions it was a struggle to attract GPs and in those locations vacancies remained unfilled for extended periods. An ageing workforce would also add to the problem.

In Hawke's Bay, of the 32 GP practices listed on the DHB website, nine are said to have full books, 13 are taking patients with conditions, and 10 are currently enrolling.

Health Hawke's Bay has told us projects are being worked on with the aim of better retention and recruitment within GP practices in the Bay.

It is important this is a priority because you often hear stories of families struggling to find a GP to call their own.

How often do we hear the message from the DHB (and rightly so) that people need to go to their GPs before they go to the hospital ED? The problem is, what do you do if you don't have a GP?

I suppose a medical centre would take you, but you would still have to wait. The great thing about having your own GP is that they know you and your family.

Even if you don't go to the doctor very often, it is good to know they are there when you need them.