Strengthening Primary Care in New Zealand

The Minister of Health’s speech at GP25 today laid out a bold and comprehensive strategy to future-proof primary care, recognising it as the cornerstone of a strong health system. These reforms are backed by a $447 million investment in Budget 2025 in the following areas:

🎓 Workforce Investment: Building the GP Pipeline

  • Fully funded GP training through the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP), including exam fees and all training years, removes one of the biggest financial barriers for aspiring GPs

  • Expanded medical school placements: 25 more spots annually, plus a new Waikato medical school focused on rural and primary care.

  • New graduate pathways: Up to 50 NZ-trained doctors per year will train in primary care settings starting in 2026

  • Nurse practitioner boost: 120 funded training places annually from 2026, plus advanced education support for 120 primary care nurses each year

  • International recruitment: Streamlined process for 100 overseas-trained doctors to enter primary care training

💰 Funding Reform: Fairer, Smarter, More Targeted

  • Capitation formula reweighting from July 2026 to include morbidity, rurality, and deprivation, ensuring funding reflects patient need.

  • $285 million performance-based funding over three years to improve access, incentivise immunisation, and support minor procedures in general practice.

  • Enhanced capitation payments tied to outcomes and activity-based targets, encouraging innovation and expanded services.

⏱️ Access & Equity: Care When It’s Needed Most

  • New access target: 80% of patients to be seen within a week, co-designed with the sector to be ambitious and achievable

  • 24/7 digital GP service launching mid-2025, offering subsidised care for those unable to see their regular doctor

  • Letter of expectation to PHOs and practices, prioritising immunisation and cost transparency

🗣️ Sector Voice & Strategic Planning

  • Primary Care Advisory Group established to ensure general practice has a formal seat at the decision-making table

  • Regular reviews of funding models and strategic planning to ensure long-term sustainability

#NelsonBaysPrimaryHealthSupports #PrimaryCare #GeneralPractice #WorkforceDevelopment #HealthEquity

Emily-Rose Richards