Access to Primary Health Care

This measure relates to:
Te OrangaMaurioraToioraNga ManukuraTe Mana Whakahaere
"Central government funding of GP visits...people missing out on vital medical advice when it's needed, and most valuable..i.e. early on before it's too late."  [City Health Profile participant]
 

Having good access to healthcare is defined as people being able to get affordable care within an appropriate timeframe.  Healthier populations tend to have strong primary health care, usually through GP services. The WHO Report 2008 encourages all countries to orient their health care systems toward strengthened primary care.  There is a relationship between the use of after-hours health care and age, gender and household income.

In 2008, the level of unmet need for a GP was significantly lower in Canterbury-at 4.7% for women and 3.4% for men-than in New Zealand as a whole (7.8% and 5.7% for women and men respectively).  Māori women in Canterbury were more likely to experience an unmet need for a GP than all women.

Read the full issue summary on access to primary healthcare [PDF] - updated July 2016.

"Access to health services is good and support both physically and financially is available for those most at need. However there will never be enough $ to go around and emphasis on self management and responsiblity should be enhanced and funding directed most at those who can demonstrate a desire to improve."  [City Health Profile participant]