Fee Increase from 19th August 2024
Due to the past 20 years of underfunding not keeping up with inflation, the government has announced another inadequate funding increase of 4%, despite their own calculation of at least 5.88% increase is needed to maintain current service levels. They have advised GP clinics to increase patient fees up to $65 to recoup their costs. We as a practice have decided to increase patient fees to $60 instead, given the current tough economic situation.
Majority of practice income comes from Capitation funding from the government, and the rest from patient fees. Capitation fund GP clinics on the assumption that the average patient has 2.5 visits per year. As our population ages and patients' needs become more complex, 2.5 visits per year are insufficient for satisfactory and safe care.
The funding model is based on time spent in front of patients, and a recent survey this year found that GPs spend only 56% of the time in front of patients. The rest of the time doing administration, training, and managing a practice, is unpaid. In the future, we may have to introduce fees for this unpaid GP time, such as writing referral letters, actioning abnormal results, filling out medical forms and responding to patient emails.
New Zealand’s funding for primary care is already among the lowest in the OECD. On average, OECD countries spend 14% of their health budget on primary care, while New Zealand spends only 5.4%. It's known that every dollar spent on primary care saves $14 in hospital costs.
For general practice to remain viable, we are left with having to increase patient fees to cover our costs and to retain quality staff by providing good working conditions.
If you are experiencing genuine financial hardship, please reach out to us, and we will do what we can to help.
We appreciate your support and understanding.
Other News & Updates
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)
It is that time of the year when we see an increase of RSV in the community.
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing.
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Call your healthcare professional if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.
RSV can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes; you get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth; You have direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV; You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands
People are typically infected with RSV for the first time as an infant or toddler and nearly all children are infected before their second birthday. However, repeat infections may occur throughout life, and people of any age can be infected.
All people can take actions to help reduce the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses. Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Stay home and away from others when you are sick.
Managing sick children over winter can be stressful. Keep up with regular paracetamol and or ibuprofen and encourage as much fluid as you can. Remember the health line staff can be contacted outside of our office hours if you need to talk to a health professional on 0800 611116.
March 2024 Updates
We hope all of our patients had a fantastic summer. Wasn’t it wonderful to see the sunshine this year. We anticipate everybody has settled back into the routine of school and or work well after a lovely break with whanau/family.
STAFF
Welcome to our newest staff members, Elena, our Health Care Assistant who has joined the nursing team, and Von Schele, who has joined our reception team.
WINTER IS COMING
With the colder months nearing, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to check in. It may be that the drop in sunlight hours affects the body’s chemical balances and make our body clocks go out of step. It is also really important to look after your physical wellbeing. Make sure you get an annual check-up with your GP. Being in good physical health will also help your mental health.
Here are a few helpful tips for getting through the winter months from the Mental Health Foundation (2024) https://mentalhealth.org.nz/
Make your environment sunnier and brighter by opening curtains and trimming tree branches that block sunlight into your home. Sit closer to bright windows while at home or in the office.
Head outside as often as you can – even on an overcast day, outdoor light can help, particularly if you spend time outside within two hours of getting up. If you are physically capable, try to maintain some light exercise.
Find ways to maintain connections with people in your life that don’t involve going out too much in the cold, such as talking online or inviting friends to your home.
If possible, plan a holiday during winter
Find someone at work, school or wherever else you spend a lot of time who understands your experience and can support you if you are having a hard time.
Remember that wanting to “hibernate” during winter is natural. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to rest in ways that feel right for you.
FLU VAX
In other exciting news, our influenza vaccines are available from the 1st of April. Our manage my health booking portal will open soon, so you can book an appointment with our lovely nursing team this way, or by calling our friendly reception team.
MASKS
For those visiting with cold and flu like symptoms, we do encourage mask use inside the building. If you are covid positive we will prefer to see you in the cabin.
KIDNEY AWARENESS MONTH
Our kidneys are amazing. Shaped like two very large beans, one on either side of the spine, these organs work hard to keep our bodies healthy and functioning.
For a start, they’re a filter, removing wastes and extra fluid from the body. They filter nearly 200 litres of blood every day to make a litre or two of urine.
They send signals to your body to regulate its blood pressure – telling it when pressure needs to be increased or decreased. They also release a hormone (erythropoietin) that tells your body to make those all-important red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body and give you energy.
As well as all that, your kidneys help balance the acid levels in your body, activate vitamin D, and balance minerals in your body that you need for healthy bones. (Diabetes New Zealand, 2024. https://www.diabetes.org.nz/)
If you are interested in reducing salt intake to help your kidneys out, the following link offers some great recipes and tips and tricks!
https://www.kidney.health.nz/information-and-resources/nutrition-and-recipes/managing-salt-intake/
If you would like your bloods pressure checked, please book with our nurses, alternatively your local pharmacy may have a public machine you can use.
From the team at Glenfield Medical Centre