1 Tara Road, Papamoa Beach,3187
Ph:07 5422277 Fax:07 5422287
Monday, 5 August 2024
Subject: GENERAL PRACTICE STRUGGLING AND IN SURVIVAL MODE
Dear Tara Road Customer,
Why have our prices gone up you wonder?
Only once a year the Ministry of Health allows us to increase our prices.
Although the Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr Shane Reti, has acknowledged that the costs in General Practice have gone up by at least 14% nationally (for us at Tara Road MC > 20 %) they have only given us a 4% increase this year. Way too short of what is needed.
Who needs to pay for this shortfall according to Hon. Dr Shane Reti?
Yes, you, the patient.
This underfunding has been going on for many years now, bringing general practice to the brink of implosion.
We are struggling to fund all the essential services we need to provide in general practice, but the current Government has shown itself unwilling to bridge the gap.
We are working hard to recruit additional clinicians, to provide pay parity for our staff with what their hospital colleagues earn and the deliver a high-quality service, but this takes resources the Government is unwilling to provide.
We would like to remind Dr Reti that for every dollar spent in general practice, $14 dollars is saved in the hospital system.
Please feel free to show your support for general practice by emailing the Minister of Health directly at: [email protected] and to let him know your thoughts.
Sincerely,
The Manager
Tara Road Medical Centre