Lucy
Ratcliffe
Rural General Practice Network chair Kirsty Murrell-McMillan says
the $4 million made available in today's Budget for rural health
professional training is an exciting development.
"For the first time there's recognition that we need to increase
health professional opportunities to train in rural areas," Ms
Murrell-McMillan says.
"That's nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and pharmacists," she
says.
She's optimistic the funding will help grow the workforce and go
some way towards addressing some rural issues, coupled with the
voluntary bonding scheme.
"It's the beginning. It's an indication they're listening to
us."
No funding for rural after hours
There's no specific allocation to rural after hours cover, but Ms
Murrell-McMillan says it's time to get creative in addressing after
hours.
"There's more than one way to skin that after hours cat," she
says.
She's hoping to increase DHB understanding of rural after hours
and hopefully the extra $2.1 billion being allocated to boards will
go towards that addressing those issues.