Leading healthcare provider ProCare has today welcomed Health Minister, Simeon Brown’s announcement around the uplift in funding for general practice across Aotearoa. This offer is a significant increase in funding and is something that has been long awaited and is therefore warmly welcomed.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “After months of negotiations, we are extremely pleased with the announcement today from Health Minister, Simeon Brown around the uplift for general practices for the upcoming financial year.

“For too long, GPs have been under-resourced despite being the first point of contact for most New Zealanders. This investment recognises the critical role general practice plays in keeping communities healthy and reducing pressure on hospitals,” continues Norwell.

Today’s offer effectively sees a 9.13% increase in government funding for practices with the additional ability for practices to increase co-payments by 3%.

“Having access to sufficient funding is something that constantly presents in the top three issues facing our practices in every single one of the surveys we have conducted with our network over the past few years. This highlights how important funding is to practices’ long-term financial sustainability,” points out Norwell.

“The announcement is reflective of the hard work of the negotiating teams and marks a meaningful and long-awaited step toward strengthening frontline healthcare,” says Norwell.

“We also welcome the additional $5 million for planned care which will allow funding for practices to complete additional procedures for patients such as minor gynaecological procedures, skin excisions, iron infusions, and oncology infusions. This will help reduce wait times for patients and reduce the load on our secondary care colleagues,” she continues.

“This funding announcement is a strong foundation for general practices to build on over the coming 12 months. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure this funding translates into real improvements for patients and providers alike,” concludes Norwell.