Backing our frontline rural health workforce

Rural communities across New Zealand will benefit from three new investments that will support the rural health workforce and help more people access care closer to home, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

"Where you live shouldn't determine the healthcare you can receive. That’s why we're backing rural clinicians with the training, support and workforce they need so people can access more care locally," Mr Doocey says.

"These three investments will help rural clinicians to make better-informed decisions in an emergency, remove barriers to training and grow the frontline so more rural New Zealanders can access quality healthcare closer to home.

“For people living in rural and remote communities, getting the right care quickly can make all the difference. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is particularly important because it gives clinicians another tool to assess patients in real time, make faster decisions and determine whether someone can safely receive care locally or needs to be transferred to hospital.

"We are investing over $2.5 million in a new POCUS training and support programme to give rural doctors and nurses the skills and support they need to use an ultrasound as part of urgent and after-hours care. At least 140 rural clinicians are expected to receive this support over the next three years.

"Giving rural clinicians better training means more people can get the care they need closer to home, while ensuring those who do need hospital care can be identified sooner.

“At the same time, we are expanding access to the Primary Response in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) training.

"We know that in some rural communities ambulance response times can be longer. PRIME training will provide rural clinicians with additional skills to support emergency responses when people need urgent care, rather than relying on help to arrive from further away.

"Currently, around 29 per cent of clinicians completing PRIME training pay the costs themselves, which can be around $2,000. We are investing additional funding to remove that cost barrier, supporting around 150 more rural clinicians to build their urgent and emergency care skills over the next two years.

"When someone needs urgent care in a rural community, having a highly trained clinician nearby can make all the difference. We're making it easier for more clinicians to get the training they need so they're ready to respond.

“Additionally, the Government is investing $6 million in a refreshed National Rural Recruitment and Locum Support Service, helping rural general practices and providers attract and retain the workforce they need.

"The service currently plays an important role in recruiting permanent doctors and nurse practitioners for general practices. Now, for the first time, this will expand beyond doctors and nurse practitioners to also support the recruitment of registered nurses and allied health professionals, helping build stronger multidisciplinary teams.

"Strong rural health services rely on a strong workforce. We are backing the frontline so rural New Zealanders can access the care they need, without the unnecessary burden of long travel times." ...