New Zealand Rural General Practice Network chairman Dr Jo Scott-Jones, of Opotiki, Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners president Dr Harry Pert, of Rotorua, network board student representative Alisha Vara, of Auckland, General Practice New Zealand chairwoman Dr Bev O'Keefe, of Wellington, retired midwife and network board member Kim Gosman, of Turangi, and nurse practitioner and network board member Sharon Hansen, of Temuka, are among more than 300 attending the network's conference in Queenstown.
Dr Scott-Jones said yesterday rural healthcare faced a workforce crisis and an "increasing burden of chronic diseases, and in response to those two issues the models of care are changing".
"[The problems mean] an increasing role for nurses, additional physician assistance in healthcare teams and the changing way we use technology."
This year, it was the South Island network's turn to host national and Australian and Canadian professionals. Queenstown was chosen for its appeal to delegates and their spouses, with the support of organising committee member and resort GP Dr James Reid. The conference started yesterday and finishes on Sunday.
