Grants for online GP consult spaces offered as GenPro says national telehealth service falling short

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is offering one-off infrastructure grants of up to $10,000 to create private digital spaces for online GP consultations at urgent care services, after hours facilities, rural hospitals, and integrated health services.

The funding initiative comes as the government's 24/7 Online GP Care service falls short of expectations, delivering 60,600 consultations between May 2025 and mid-January 2026 against projected annual targets of 410,000 subsidised consultations, the General Practice Owners' Association (GenPro) says.

An ROI released by Health NZ says selected services will receive funding to create private, digitally enabled spaces onsite where patients can do online GP consultations.

"This initiative is designed to improve access to primary care by enabling people to complete an Online GP consultation at trusted points of care, particularly for individuals who face challenges accessing or enrolling with a general practice," the documentation says.

The funding covers laptops or screens, audio hardware and headphones, digital connectivity, and booths or fit-out of private consultation spaces.

Up to 20 services may also receive ongoing support for subscriptions to basic remote examination devices such as TytoCare.

The documents say funding will be prioritised for services based on access and community need, with preference given to services supporting rural or remote communities, areas of high deprivation, and locations with limited access to general practice.

Meanwhile, GenPro chair Angus Chambers says the government's broader telehealth investment is failing to meet its objectives.

The government launched a 24/7 telehealth service called Online GP Care in mid-2025, as a convenient alternative for lower-acuity care and a way to reduce demand on emergency departments.

GenPro says emergency department demand continues to rise despite the telehealth rollout. Between October and December 2025, 340,967 patients attended EDs, compared with 332,110 in the same period in 2024.

"Telehealth was meant to ease pressure on our Emergency Departments. Clearly it isn't achieving that,” Chambers says.

"The government should redirect its $165 million investment in telehealth to what patients actually want: accessible, face-to-face care in their communities.”

A GenPro survey of 1,798 patients found that 87 per cent prefer in-person consultations with their regular GP. 

"Telehealth can play a role in healthcare, but it should complement, not replace, traditional general practice,” he says.

Expressions of interest for the Health NZ funding can be submitted until 23 April 2026.

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