GPs Paula Mathieson and Shane Reti once worked in the same doctor’s practice in Whangārei . Now their paths have diverged: she is deeply in debt and he is.
The Health Minister is making zero promises about increased funding for struggling GP clinics that are deep in debt. However, Dr Shane Reti says he understands their pain and is working on the problem. A doctor at the Whangārei GP clinic originally set up by Dr Reti has revealed the practice is more than six figures in the red and is calling for urgent action to fix the broken system she believes put them in a hole. Doctor Paula Mathieson, from Rata Family health, says the situation is critical and GPs are feeling panicked. Other general pracitioners have also told Checkpoint they're close burn out, working hundreds of unapid hours, and appointment wait times have blown out to three week or longer. Health Minister Doctor Shane Reti speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default default/index.html?videoId=6346913153112