Dr. Keith Blayney, a GP in Hāwera, has chosen not to participate in the government’s capitation funding system, stating that it is “flawed” and unsustainable. Instead, he charges patients based on the services provided, allowing him to maintain the quality of care he believes his patients deserve.

Blayney, who has been in practice for 44 years, acknowledges the chronic underfunding in general practice, with a shortage of GPs nationwide and inadequate funding to meet the growing demand for primary care services. Despite his dedication to his practice, he admits that he earns less than both the living wage and the minimum wage, and relies on re-investing in the practice to keep it viable.

While the government has pledged to increase funding for general practice, there is uncertainty about how this will be implemented and whether it will address the underlying issues of underfunding. Dr. Luke Bradford of the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners emphasizes the importance of bringing all practices up to a sustainable level of funding to ensure quality care for all patients.

With the new Health Minister, Simeon Brown, acknowledging the challenges patients face in accessing primary healthcare, there is hope for improvements in funding and support for GPs. However, the specifics of any funding increase remain unclear.

Dr. Blayney’s dedication to his practice and his commitment to providing quality care despite financial challenges highlight the importance of adequate funding for general practice in New Zealand.