fbpx
Print this page
Wednesday, 11 May 2022 09:55

Uncertain state of rural health services

Written by  Peter Burke
NZ Rural General Practice Network chair Dr Fiona Bolden. NZ Rural General Practice Network chair Dr Fiona Bolden.

Dr Fiona Bolden says the rural health services are under huge pressure.

She says there are plenty of places where you can't even see a GP at all and adds that rural hospitals are having real difficulty trying to see people.

Bolden says many in the rural health workforce are coming up for retirement and have just about had enough. But she says many are staying on out of a sense of responsibility to their communities and many are burnt out.

"The rural health service is limping along on the good will of its people and is further complicated by what's happening with nursing," she told Rural News. "Nurses working in practices get paid far less than those working for the DHBs and practices get no funding for nurses."

Rural News did approach the Minister of Health's office for comment, but they did not respond.

More like this

Talking rural health

As the National Rural Health Conference 2024 approaches, Fiona Bolden, chair of Hauora Taiwhenua, and Grant Davidson, chief executive of Hauora Taiwhenua, talk about the conference's significance in addressing rural healthcare challenges.

Rural health boost

OPINION: A third medical school is a step closer to fruition and that’s good news for the rural sector.

Featured

DWOTY Award 'an absolute honour'

Humbling, overwhelming, and an absolute honour. That’s how 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Katrina Roberts describes her win at the Dairy Women’s Network conference earlier this month.

New CEO for Dairy Goat Co-op

Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative (DGC) is revamping its leadership in the hope of recovering from its financial doldrums.

Great stewards of the land

James and Debbie Stewart of Dairylands in the Manawatū are no strangers to taking home the silverware.

National

Rural GP's inspiring legacy

The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial…

Off the radar

A year on and the problems created by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle has largely dropped off the radar of media…

Machinery & Products

GPS in control

In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control…