The Royal Australasian College of Physicians looks forward to working with the incoming health minister to address significant issues for the healthcare system across Aotearoa New Zealand.
RACP Aotearoa New Zealand President Dr Stephen Inns said “College acknowledges the enormous strain the healthcare system is under, particularly regarding severe workforce shortages. Figures released by the College prior to the election revealed New Zealand has fewer specialists per head of population than Australia, while only 0.6 percent of physicians work in rural areas.
“The RACP is pleased that the incoming government has promised to invest in a third medical school, increasing the number of medical graduates in our health system. This is a welcome first step towards addressing chronic healthcare workforce shortages.”
The RACP looks forward to work with the new government on the following.
- A renewed commitment to a comprehensive, integrated pipeline approach to recruiting students into medical and healthcare career pathways, especially for Māori and Pasifika students.
- To improve health equity for Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand
- To ensure health resources are prioritised according to equity and need, delivered by a culturally safe and pro-equity health system.
- Work with the College and other health agencies to ensure an environmentally sustainable healthcare that can thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change
“The RACP will work with the Government to implement these priorities and more to ensure our healthcare is equitable for all New Zealanders.
“The RACP would also like to take this opportunity to urge the government to retain Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority. The RACP has supported the creation of an independent Māori Health Authority as a step towards transformative change in our health system since it was first proposed in 2020.
“We recognise our shared responsibility to close the gap in health outcomes for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand and strongly support a by Māori for Māori approach at every level in healthcare. A commitment to Te Tiriti principles of tino rangatiratanga, active protection, partnership, options and equity in health care has been long overdue, and Te Aka Whai Ora is an opportunity for this to occur.”
