Enabling general practices to better support community-based attachments
In brief To address current and forecast
Background Aotearoa is facing a current and forecast workforce shortage of general practitioners (GPs), which is impacting New Zealanders access to health
workforce shortage GPs, funding is being provided to general practices to host CBAs.
care, and equitable health outcomes. GPs make up a smaller proportion of the medical workforce than ever before. There is an aging GP workforce nearing retirement and GPs are reporting increased workloads and stress, having played a significant role in the COVID-19 response. At the same time, there is a relatively low medical student interest in the profession. Providing a positive experience in a community-based attachment
What is available? From January 2023, funding will be available to general practice for each 12-week CBA they host. •
$3,600 ex GST per attachment
(CBA) in general practice can inspire career decisions. Approximately 50 percent of medical students at graduation have yet to decide on their medical specialisation. What has been approved In October, Minister Little announced funding to encourage medical graduates to consider specialising as a GP. As well as paying a hosting fee of $3,600 to general practices that host a 12-week CBA, the funding will see increased salaries for General Practice Education Programme year 1 (GPEP 1) registrars and increased remuneration to teaching supervisors through the Royal New Zealand College of General
How will I receive funding? This payment will come via the PHO who will in turn, invoice Te Whatu Ora. General practice will need to confirm: •
training provider •
via your invoice the number of a PGY 1 or 2 doctors you are
Practitioners (RNZCGP). How will it be implemented District Resident Medical Officer (RMO) units are encouraged to prioritise
you are an accredited CBA
hosting
placements in general practice and target the priority areas including:
How can I get involved?
Māori, Pacific and rural populations, and high deprivation areas.
District Resident Medical Officer
General Practices that are accredited CBA training providers will be able
(RMO) units manage the PGY 1
to invoice their Primary Health Organisation (PHO) for $3,600 excl. GST for
and 2 doctor CBA placements.
each 12-week attachment they host. PHOs will confirm accreditation, and each month invoice Te Whatu Ora, including a list of participating practices and number of placements.
Reach out to your local RMO unit if you are interested in hosting an
What it will achieve Reducing the financial barrier to hosting placements, will mean more,
attachment now or in the future.
and a wider range of general practices, including kaupapa Māori
RMO units are encouraged to
services, will be able to participate.
prioritise placements in general
What it won’t achieve It will not address immediate workforce shortages. This initiative will take
practice and target the priority areas including: •
Māori populations
•
Rural populations
development of comprehensive primary and community care teams,
•
Pacific populations, and
development of GP telehealth services, and initiatives to enable nurses to
•
High deprivation areas.
time to impact the overall GP workforce numbers. It sits alongside other initiatives to address the current workforce pressures, including the
work at the top of their scope.
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Version 2 – 7/12/2022