Waitaki MP Miles Anderson’s assurances come in the wake of Health Action Wānaka saying it was deeply concerned about proposed changes to GP capitation that would adversely impact services in Wānaka and the wider Upper Clutha community.
The new category meant rural funding for general practices in Wānaka would be reduced by 70%, GPs services told the Otago Daily Times.
But Mr Anderson has said Health Action Wānaka were ‘‘jumping the gun’’ on any changes.
‘‘As far as I'm aware, a negotiation is under way between the providers and Health New Zealand.
‘‘I am focused on getting urgent and after-hours care shored up in the Wanaka area because it was something that was a big concern for the members of the community over the past few years.
‘‘It's a bit early to draw any conclusions from what's going on.’’
Mr Anderson said the government had committed $180 million to the region and ‘‘the urgent after-hours care would be at the top of the list’’.
The area had been ‘‘growing so much population-wise in a very quick time’’ and HNZ was ‘‘sort of playing a bit of catch-up here’’.
‘‘Their modelling did not show or did not demonstrate the growth that there's actually been.’’
WellSouth integration manager Stuart Barson said the changes were concerning for much of the South.
‘‘No practice in New Zealand should be left behind by the changes in funding and the impact on Wanaka is particularly severe.’’
The present situation did not seem to fit with the spirit of the Central Lakes clinical services planning framework as outlined by the government, Mr Barson said.
While there would be a minimum increase of 4.46% per year for the next four years for Wānaka GP services, much of that would be absorbed by general costs and inflation, he said.
Health Action Wānaka chairwoman Monique Mayze said rather than ‘‘jumping the gun’’, the group was responding to an immediate threat to health services in Wānaka should the changes come into effect.
‘‘If, as Mr Anderson says, it will get sorted, then I'm very pleased to hear it.
‘‘And if by that he means that they're going to reclassify our practices as R2, then that's a good outcome if that happens.’’
Aspiring Medical Centre GP Dr Fiona MacLean said under the present Geographic Classification for Health, Wānaka was on a par with Ashburton for rurality, despite the fact it was four hours’ travel time from a tertiary hospital.
‘‘So we have to be proactive on this.’’
GPs will be voting on the proposed capitation rates by tomorrow. A vote of over 75% means they come into effect.
Labour health spokeswoman Dr Ayesha Verrall said the government’s attempts to improve the health system had inadvertently made things worse.
‘‘It’s deeply concerning that the government’s funding proposal puts Wānaka and other rural health services at risk.
‘‘Squeezing rural practices will ultimately hurt patients.
‘‘Clinics shouldn't have to choose between putting up patient fees and absorbing rising costs.’’
