Health reforms leave some Northland GPs feeling overlooked
27 Apr, 2021 06:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Northland GP Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith claims Northland GPs have not been consulted on reforms to the health sector. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Northland GP Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith claims Northland GPs have not been consulted on reforms to the health sector. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A raft of recently announced reforms to the health sector has left some Northland GPs questioning where they fit in the proposed structure. I feel like we ve been disregarded as an expert workforce. I don t feel we ve been engaged enough in the reform process or how we can contribute to things being better, said General Practitioner at Kensington Health, Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith.
GP/Mahitahi Hauora rift widening after letter to health minister Andrew Little
9 Feb, 2021 05:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Bush Road Medical Centre GP Dr Andrew Miller is one of three GPs who have publicly criticised the actions of Mahitahi Hauora. Photo / Tania Whyte
Bush Road Medical Centre GP Dr Andrew Miller is one of three GPs who have publicly criticised the actions of Mahitahi Hauora. Photo / Tania Whyte
The divide between general practice doctors and their funding holder Mahitahi Hauora is widening after several Whangārei GPs wrote to Health Minister Andrew Little, claiming their relationship is untenable. Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith from Kensington Health,
Northland DHB proposes whānau-centred fix for inequitable health system
3 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Despite raised tensions in Northland healthcare recently, NDHB chief executive Dr Nick Chamberlain was confident a solution could be found which benefited all in Tai Tokerau. Photo / File
The Northland District Health Board believes a whānau-centred approach is the best option to fix the region s inequitable healthcare system. Details of the DHB s plans were released as part of a document sent to the Government s transition team, which is charged with executing wide-ranging health reform recommended by last year s Health and Disability System Review.
The DHB s proposal followed another proposal from the Te Tai Tokerau Māori Health Providers Alliance, which advised of the creation of a $300m Oranga Māori Entity (OME) to manage all primary care outside hospital care.
Bombshell $300m Māori health proposal shocks Northland healthcare
2 Feb, 2021 04:05 PM
7 minutes to read
Northland GP Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith was one of many GPs left in the dark about a new healthcare proposal, which may see doctors leave their primary health organisation. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A $300m Māori health entity proposal has rocked Northland s healthcare community, forcing some general practice doctors to consider abandoning the region s primary health organisation. The Oranga Māori Entity, formed by an alliance of Tai Tokerau Māori health providers and whānau wellbeing organisation Whānau Ora Collective, has also been condemned by the Northland District Health Board (NDHB), which says while the intention behind the proposal is sound, there are severe concerns over its execution.