Physician assistants are well-known in the US and pilot programmes are under way to assess their potential for New Zealand healthcare.
Physician assistants are highly trained healthcare professionals who work as a part of the medical team, are trained under the medical model like doctors, and work as an extension of a doctor under the doctor's delegation.
They have existed in the US since the mid-1960s and are working and being trialled throughout the world.
Tiffany Hodgson, a physician assistant from Hawaii, married a Kiwi. Since moving here, she has also fallen in love with New Zealand. She holds a bachelor degree in health science and a masters degree in physician assistant sciences.
She says she is excited to be working for the clinics and likes working in primary care because it feels like an extended family.
The move is part of an initiative to enable a free medical service for patients by proficiently managing clinic hours and the use of trained medical staff.
Dr Rajan says the model is ahead of its time.
"The goal is to offer free medical services to people previously served by the clinic set up by K'aute Pasifika, for the betterment of Pacific Island people, and the Family Medical Centre run by a trust formed by Dr Suresh Vatsayayann.
"We have the resources and support of the Radius Medical Group with clinics operating at Davies Corner, Rototuna, St Andrews and the Radius Skin Clinic."
Dr Rajan says the K'aute Family Medical Centre's existing 4000 patients will join Radius' 35,000 patients as part of the group.
There is room at 960 Victoria St for expansion as the family medical centre grows.
