Latest news with #PrimaryandCommunityHealthAotearoa
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
PCHA Welcomes Renewed Focus On Primary And Community Care – But Calls For Clarity On Investment And Delivery
Primary and Community Health Aotearoa (PCHA) welcomes the 2025–2026 Te Whatu Ora Delivery Plan as a step in the right direction toward a more integrated, locally led health system that prioritises people and communities. 'With urgent care pressures growing and access to local services still a struggle for many, we support the clear emphasis on primary and community care throughout the plan,' says Teresa Wall, Chair of PCHA. 'But turning good intentions into reality requires meaningful partnerships and targeted investment in the sector best placed to deliver this care — our community health providers.' The plan outlines initiatives including: • A new 24/7 digital health service connecting patients to nurse practitioners and doctors; • Expansion of urgent care services, especially in rural and remote areas; • New pathways for international doctors and Nurse Practitioner training; • Improved access to mental health and addiction support through crisis cafés and early intervention programmes; • Increased immunisation and screening rates for tamariki and whānau. PCHA acknowledges the plan's intent to embed regional and district-level leadership and restore decision-making closer to communities. However, it warns that unless primary and community health services — including kaupapa Māori, Pacific, and rural providers — are fully resourced and involved in planning, equitable gains in delivery may not be achieved. 'We urge Te Whatu Ora to clarify how funding will reach primary and community providers, including those outside of PHOs,' says Teresa Wall. 'Equitable access requires equitable funding — and that means enabling community-led services, including kaupapa Māori, and Pacific to expand their reach with confidence.' 'The plan rightly acknowledges that our current model of care is unsustainable,' Teresa says. 'The future lies in primary and community health services that keep people well, reduce hospital admissions, and provide culturally safe care close to home. PCHA's members are already delivering these solutions — with better resourcing, we can do even more.' 'Workforce investment must extend beyond GPs and hospitals,' says Teresa. 'We need to strengthen the teams that already provide care in homes, marae, community hubs and aged care settings — from nurse prescribers and kaiāwhina to hauora navigators and allied health professionals.' 'Many of our primary and community health providers — kaupapa Māori, Pacific, rural and urban — are ready to collaborate with Te Whatu Ora to design practical solutions that reflect the reality on the ground,' says Teresa. 'Our collective experience, relationships and innovation can help shape a more connected system that delivers care closer to home, and we look forward to playing a constructive role as this delivery plan is implemented.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Moves To Amend Equal Pay Act 1972 Is An Abusive False Economy
Press Release – Primary and Community Health Aotearoa PCHA Board Chair Steve Chadwick says the governments fast tracked changes to the Equal Pay Act 1972 and halting progress of any existing claims is a kick in the gut to the many nurses who work in primary and community healthcare. The Primary and Community Health Association (PCHA) says New Zealand's struggling health system has been dealt another significant blow that will have a detrimental impact in local communities. PCHA Board Chair Steve Chadwick says the government's fast tracked changes to the Equal Pay Act 1972 and halting progress of any existing claims is a kick in the gut to the many nurses who work in primary and community healthcare. She calls on the Health Minister Simeon Brown to show more respect for the many nurses and carers who have dedicated their lives to supporting their community. 'This government shows absolute disregard for the important role that primary and community care nurses and carers play in the health of New Zealanders,' Steve said. 'Minister Simeon Brown should be ashamed of this action. It is wrong and it is abusive.' Steve says that by halting pay equity claim action and amending the Equal Pay Act 1972, community nurses and carers who have been battling for years to close the pay gap with their hospital counterparts will have to go back to the drawing board. 'What the government is actually doing is saying to not only community nurses and carers, but also local communities is, 'You don't matter. Your jobs and your health are not a priority to us.'' The Government will ammend the Equal Pay Act 1972 to tighten the pay equity criteria, making it harder for pay equity claims to be sought. Additional to this, any existing pay equity claims will be halted and those claims will need to be resubmitted under the new and more stringent criteria. 'What is also alarming is that the reason for this action is to 'reduce the cost to the Crown',' Steve said. 'This signals that the Government is intent on crushing the health system in order to pay for tax cuts and money for landlords. This will send the health of individuals, families and communities, many of whom are already struggling under this government, into further decline.' 'That in itself is a false economy and drives false savings – while they pinch money from community services, they will inevitably have to spend more money to prop up hospital services when people become very unwell – it's completely nonsensical.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Moves To Amend Equal Pay Act 1972 Is An Abusive False Economy
Press Release – Primary and Community Health Aotearoa PCHA Board Chair Steve Chadwick says the governments fast tracked changes to the Equal Pay Act 1972 and halting progress of any existing claims is a kick in the gut to the many nurses who work in primary and community healthcare. The Primary and Community Health Association (PCHA) says New Zealand's struggling health system has been dealt another significant blow that will have a detrimental impact in local communities. PCHA Board Chair Steve Chadwick says the government's fast tracked changes to the Equal Pay Act 1972 and halting progress of any existing claims is a kick in the gut to the many nurses who work in primary and community healthcare. She calls on the Health Minister Simeon Brown to show more respect for the many nurses and carers who have dedicated their lives to supporting their community. 'This government shows absolute disregard for the important role that primary and community care nurses and carers play in the health of New Zealanders,' Steve said. 'Minister Simeon Brown should be ashamed of this action. It is wrong and it is abusive.' Steve says that by halting pay equity claim action and amending the Equal Pay Act 1972, community nurses and carers who have been battling for years to close the pay gap with their hospital counterparts will have to go back to the drawing board. 'What the government is actually doing is saying to not only community nurses and carers, but also local communities is, 'You don't matter. Your jobs and your health are not a priority to us.'' The Government will ammend the Equal Pay Act 1972 to tighten the pay equity criteria, making it harder for pay equity claims to be sought. Additional to this, any existing pay equity claims will be halted and those claims will need to be resubmitted under the new and more stringent criteria. 'What is also alarming is that the reason for this action is to 'reduce the cost to the Crown',' Steve said. 'This signals that the Government is intent on crushing the health system in order to pay for tax cuts and money for landlords. This will send the health of individuals, families and communities, many of whom are already struggling under this government, into further decline.' 'That in itself is a false economy and drives false savings – while they pinch money from community services, they will inevitably have to spend more money to prop up hospital services when people become very unwell – it's completely nonsensical.'
