.jpg){kind=logo}
The major political parties in New Zealand have announced their health policies for the general election in New Zealand to be held on Saturday 27 November. The following table is commentary analysis of rural health policy from these parties, as seen by the author.
The summary, in priority order, lists those elements that are required to overcome the difficulties being faced by rural health, and provides an interpretation of the position of the major political parties with respect to these requirements.
| What is required to overcome the difficulties being faced by rural health (In order of priority) |
What is being offered by the parties | ||||
| National | Labour | ACT | Alliance | NZ First | |
| 1. Sustainable rural practice through realistic workload for health professionals | Recently granted support for stressed practices: to bring in an extra doctor in up to 10 practices in New Zealand. Possibility of more. | Rural practice support scheme will be continued by Labour | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned but do refer to adequate recruitment and retention of health professionals |
| 2. Sustainable rural practice through adequate locum support | Recently granted NZ$1million per year for 2 years for locum support for New Zealand rural general practice | Will establish a New Zealand wide rural practice locum support scheme | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| 3. Inducement for New Zealand general practice graduates to work in rural New Zealand | Establishment of scholarships for doctors who enter rural general practice | Will ’look at’ financial and training initiatives to encourage rural practice | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Student debt ’write-offs’ for those who go to practice in rural areas |
| 4. Increased training of general practitioners in rural general practice | Supported in general teams only | Supported in general teams only | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| 5. Increased training of rural general practitioners in rural hospital practice | Recent support granted to develop a Diploma in rural hospital practice | Offering to support training for rural hospital practice | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| 6. Strengthening of rural hospital services | Will continue to support community trusts | Will support community trusts through newly established District Health Boards | Not specifically mentioned | Has a major plan for strengthening rural hospital services | Not specifically mentioned |
| 7. Reestablish ’team’ approach to rural obstetric care | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | No mention of GP obstetrics in rural areas | Not specifically mentioned |
| 8. Increased training for rural nurse practitioners | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| 9. Provision of specific emergency services and training | Roadside to bedside and PRIME (Primary Response In Medical Emergency) | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| 10. Increased specialist services and clinics on site at rural locations | Supported in general terms | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Support for rural hospitals and comprehensive specialist services | Not specifically mentioned |
| 11. Improved access for rural Maori | Yes | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| 12. Mobile surgical services for rural New Zealand and telemedicine services | Mobile surgery not specifically mentioned. Telemedicine recently established in the South Island of New Zealand. To be extended. | Mobile surgery to be evaluated. Telemedicine will be instituted. | Not specifically mentioned | Will develop mobile surgery. Telemedicine not specifically mentioned. | Not specifically mentioned |
