March 2024 Updates

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.

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.