Rural GPs recognised with New Year’s Honours
The 2021 New Year’s Honours were announced this week and the Network is delighted to congratulate members who received recognition for their contribution to rural health. Among 13 doctors honoured was former Network Committee Chair and longstanding rural GP and leader Dr Tim Malloy as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr Malloy […]
Kim Gosman named Health Volunteer of the Year
Long-serving New Zealand Rural General Practice Network Board member Kim Gosman has been named Health Volunteer of the Year and Individual Maori Health Volunteer of the Year.
The 2018 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards were presented on June 18, during National Volunteer Week, at the Grand Hall Parliament.
Network Chief Executive Dalton Kelly said the awards were well-deserved recognition of Kim’s hard work and dedication to the health sector over many years.
“The Network and the rural health sector is extremely fortunate to have had Kim’s enthusiasm, expertise and drive over many years and I congratulate her on receiving these awards.”
Kim is the Network Board’s Southern North Island representative. She said receiving the awards was “just overwhelming”.
Tourist Tax must address more than toilets
The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network said a Tourist Tax needed to reflect that tourism was now placing real stress on delivery of rural health services.
The NZRGPN is the national network representing the doctors and nurses of rural medical practices across New Zealand.
“Tourism is a great thing for the New Zealand economy but managing its impacts goes beyond more toilets and car parks,” said Chief Executive, Dalton Kelly.
‘Rural Proofing’ vital for rural communities
The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network today welcomed a refreshed ‘rural proofing’ policy that will ensure rural communities are ‘at the heart of policy making across government’.
The NZRGPN is the national network representing the staff of rural medical practices across New Zealand.
Rural health must be integral in services review
The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network has welcomed an announcement of a comprehensive review of health services in New Zealand.
The NZRGPN is the national network representing the staff of rural medical practices across New Zealand.
“A comprehensive review of the delivery of health and disability services is timely,” said NZRGPN Chief Executive Dalton Kelly. “This review must be comprehensive and wide-ranging, taking into account the full range of communities and health service providers across New Zealand.
“We welcome the Review and will look to participate fully in it on behalf of the medical professionals who are delivering outstanding health services to rural communities, often under increasingly difficult conditions.”
Government announce health system review
The entire health and disability system will be reviewed, with the district health board system coming under the spotlight (NZ Herald).
The terms of reference for the review say the current system has a “complex mix of governance, ownership, business and accountability models and arrangements.
“This complexity can get in the way of ensuring public money is spent to invest in, and provide healthcare to the public in a coherent and smart way.”
Health minister David Clark, who announced the review today (May 29), has previously indicated he was keen for a “fresh” look at the way DHBs operated.
System Level Measures update
Focus on patient experience survey, April 2018.
Patient experience of care is an important indicator of the quality of health services, and is one of the System Level Measures co-developed by the Ministry of Health and the health sector. There are two patient experience surveys – one that captures patient feedback and experience in hospital, and the more recent primary care patient experience survey. The surveys are coordinated by the Health Quality & Safety Commission.
Govt inquiry into Mental Health Addiction
Call for feedback from members. The Government is calling for submissions on the Mental Health and Addictions Inquiry.
New faces on the Network Board
Three new rural practitioners were welcomed to the Network Board during its AGM and election at the 2018 conference. The Board reluctantly farewelled Nurse Practitioner and Pleasant Point practice owner Tania Kemp, who had served three terms. She is succeeded by South Westland-based Rural Nurse Specialist Gemma Hutton. Nurse Practitioner Rhoena Davis also comes onto the Board along with South Island Nurse and Chairperson of Rural Nurses New Zealand, Rhonda Johnson, who was co-opted onto the Board. Rose Lightfoot is now the Network’s consumer representative on the Board.
Briefing Paper to the Minister of Health
Network Chairperson Sharon Hansen and Chief Executive Dalton Kelly presented a briefing paper to the Minister of Health, Dr David Clark, at Parliament on March 28.