Fees-free GP visits and children still miss out

 New research from the Growing Up in New Zealand study finds Maori and Pacific children are disproportionately missing out on healthcare despite GP visits being free. 

Recommendations

• Despite the zero-fees policy, some young children do not see a GP when in need due to cost. Primary health organisations should ensure that all children who present for care are enrolled with a practice to ensure eligibility for free GP visits.

National brought in a policy that required young mothers to enrol their child with a GP as a condition of receiving a benefit but the policy was never enforced. Now it's the PHO's fault.

• Policy action is needed to address the barriers to accessing GP care for Māori and Pacific children, beyond focusing on cost. For example, the location of primary health care services and possibilities of outreach and/or mobile services could be considered, so that lack of transport is not a barrier to families.

So it is not enough to subsidise doctor visits 100 percent. Parents need transporting to the medical centre door. One would think when a child is sick a friend or family member would be available to help with transport, or heaven forbid, they got on a bus.

• Changes to the health system, and future health policy, must align with contemporary interpretations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to ensure that health equity becomes a reality for Māori. 

You could be excused for thinking that a recommendation of Treaty compliance is now compulsory when government funding is provided.

It must be there for a reason because it sure as hell doesn't offer anything useful.