New Zealand general practice shows signs of stabilization

New data from the GenPro Annual Pulse Survey indicates that general practice in New Zealand is beginning to stabilize after years of intense financial and workforce pressure. While the sector has moved away from the brink, GenPro Chair Dr. Angus Chambers warns that the recovery remains fragile.

Workforce shortages persist, though there are signs of improvement. The proportion of practices reporting GP vacancies decreased from 54 percent last year to 47 percent this year. Similarly, nurse vacancies fell from 23 percent to 18 percent. Despite these gains, Dr. Chambers noted that GP shortages remain unacceptably high and threaten continuity of care and patient access.

Financial indicators also show mixed results. While concern regarding future financial viability dropped from 65 percent to 60 percent, many practices remain financially stretched, and more than half are now charging for services that were previously free.