Government plan to ease GP shortages

The story so far

In early March 2025 the Government announced a two-year primary care training programme for up to 100 overseas-trained doctors already registered to work in New Zealand, alongside a 24-hour digital telehealth service and a $285 million funding uplift for general practice.^{3 Mar 2025} Health Minister Simeon Brown then announced 25 extra medical school training places a year, and funding to send up to 50 graduate doctors annually into primary care.^{4 Mar 2025} Brown allocated $47 million over four years to support general practices in this training, but doctors warned the extra on-the-job training would add pressure on primary care services.^{18 Mar 2025} A study found New Zealand spends less than 6% of its health budget on primary care, against an OECD average of 14%, and that the sector's share has not risen since 2009. Brown was seeking advice on a new target for primary care wait times, as none of the reintroduced health targets covered primary healthcare.^{9, 27 Mar 2025} GPs said 15-minute consultations and administrative burdens were causing long waits for patients.^{31 Mar 2025}

Latest

Stats NZ data cited in that report indicates one in four New Zealanders avoid visiting a GP because of appointment delays.^{31 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 3 Mar 2025Government funds training programme for up to 100 overseas-trained doctors.
2. 3 Mar 2025Government unveils 24-hour telehealth service and $285 million general practice uplift.
3. 4 Mar 2025Medical school places increased by 25 a year to address doctor shortages.
4. 9 Mar 2025Health minister considers a new target for primary care wait times.
5. 18 Mar 2025Doctors warn training plans will add pressure on general practice.
6. 27 Mar 2025Study finds under 6% of health budget goes to primary care.
7. 31 Mar 2025GPs blame 15-minute consultations for long waits; one in four avoid visits.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.