4 days ago
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.'
