Still challenges ahead for enhancing primary health care in New Zealand

28/09/2009 8:12:33 PM

Four reports, released on 1 September, by Victoria University’s Health Services Research Centre, show good progress is being made with recent primary health care reforms in New Zealand, but there are still challenges ahead.

The reports focus on the activities of general medical practices, issues relating to patient fees, and the development and roles of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) in the reformed primary health care system.

“Major reforms in New Zealand’s primary health care sector over recent years have led to significant increases in funding, reductions in the fees patients pay when they use services, and increases in consultation rates, including with nurses,” notes lead researcher Dr Jacqueline Cumming, “but these reports focus on some of the key issues we still need to sort out if we are to make further gains in improving our primary health care services.

For more information contact Dr Jacqueline Cumming, Director Health Services Research Centre on jackie.cumming@vuw.ac.nz or ph 64 4 463 6567

Brief summaries of the four reports are available at: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/hsrc/reports/new-reports.aspx

Press Release available at: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/hsrc/reports/media.aspx