Wednesday, 11 May 2022 07:55

Rural health refused priority

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

"Completely and utterly outrageous."

That's how NZ Rural General Practice Network chair Dr Fiona Bolden describes the Government's outright rejection of calls to make 'rural' a priority in the new Pae Ora Health Futures (POHF) Bill now before Parliament.

The bill is the first major reform of the health service in more than 20 years and paves the way for a completely new structure that is supposed to deliver better health outcomes for NZ. But according to Bolden, who works as a rural GP, it won't do this for the nearly 750,000 people who live in rural NZ.

The genesis of the changes come from a review of the health service by Heather Simpson. In her review, according to Bolden, rural was seen as a priority and was mentioned some 80 times in Simpson's report.

But when the legislation appeared, no mention was made of 'rural'. The Rural GP Network made submissions to the select committee that heard submissions on the bill.

Bolden says at the heart of the issue is that rural GPs and other demanded that 'rural' should be given special legal status in the bill - along with Maori, Pacifica, women and the disabled. This status would require the new health authorities to draw up a strategic plan to focus on 'rural'.

But the Labour and Green MPs on the select committee rejected the inclusion of 'rural' saying:

"Specifying other strategies in the legislation including for the rainbow and rural communities... could result in certain populations having too much or too little focus on them and... could result in a lack of flexibility in the system and an over emphasis on producing strategic plans rather than on innovative service design and provision."

Bolden says this is not correct.

"They are saying they don't need a rural health service and it is utterly outrageous and leave rural health out in the wilderness," she told Rural News.

"You have got 750,000 people enrolled in rural practices, 194 rural general practices and 26 rural hospitals. At least a third of our workplaces are short of staff and we know that health outcomes for rural people are worse than they are for urban people. The health inequities in rural is massive."

Bolden says it is deeply disturbing that the Government has effectively ignored its own advice, which came from the Heather Simpson.

"It is very frustrating and for those of us who work in rural health and it's pretty obvious that unless there is legislative requirements to highlight rural, nothing will happen," she says.

More like this

Rural health boost

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

Funding injection sought for rural GPs

With the beginning of the new year and the end of the government recess, Rural Health Network is calling on the coalition Government to keep its promises on investment into ailing rural general practices.

Consensus call for rural healthcare

Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network has recently announced the "Christchurch Consensus", aimed at representing and achieving strong outcomes for rural communities and healthcare providers.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter