Labour leader Chris Hipkins made the announcement at the party's annual general meeting in central Auckland. Photo: Anneke Smith / RNZ
The Labour Party would offer doctors and nurse practitioners low-interest loans to set up new practices or buy into existing ones, if elected next year.
Leader Chris Hipkins made the announcement at the party's annual general meeting in central Auckland on Sunday afternoon.
He said Labour would provide up to 50 loans each year, prioritising areas that had no general practitioners, or practices with closed or partially closed books.
The policy met with a positive response from both the General Practice Owners Association and The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, who highlighted the importance of GPs to the healthcare system.
Doctors could apply for loans of up to 90 percent of the cost of buying into a practice, capped at $500,000.
The loans would only be available for owner-operated general practices, with corporate-owned clinics excluded.
They would be interest-free for the first two years, with monthly repayments beginning on the outstanding balance at an annual interest rate of three percent.
The policy would give doctors up to 10 years to repay the loan and each doctor couold only receive one loan under the scheme.
Hipkins said the loans would be available from 1 July 2027, through the existing Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme.
"This is a practical, targeted way to boost locally-owned clinics across New Zealand and strengthen the ones we already have," he said. "More doctors in our communities means shorter waits for patients.
"Nearly 650,000 New Zealanders can't afford to see their doctor when they need to and many others wait too long for an appointment.
"This announcement builds on our plan for three free doctor's visits, improvements to GP funding and free cervical screening - all aimed at making it easier for people to get care when they need it."
Hipkins said the policy would compliment his party's plan to free up 4.5 million doctor's appointments every year.
"The number of doctor-owned practices is falling, as is the number of doctors who work in doctor-owned practices," he said. "It's expensive to start a new practice or buy into an existing one, so our low-interest loans will give doctors the kickstart they need to get established.
"Two-thirds of practice owners and partners are intending to retire in the next 10 years, so it's vital we can support the next generation to keep the doors and books open.
"This scheme is just one way Labour can help ensure healthcare is there where you need it, when you need it."
Doctors welcome incentive and recognition of GPs
The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) welcomed the renewed political attention on the critical role of general practice in improving health outcomes for New Zealanders.
GenPro chair Dr Angus Chambers said, although the association was politically neutral, it welcomed fresh ideas to support general practice which he added are "the foundation of an effective, efficient and equitable health system".
"This policy links to what we've been saying for a long time - New Zealand faces a critical shortage of general practitioners and other clinicians," Dr Chambers said.
"It also addresses the growing threat to patients, as individual general practices struggle to compete with large corporate businesses."
He warned that rapid expansion of corporate ownership was reshaping the sector.
Increasing opportunities for GP ownership would help stabilise the workforce, and promote the sustainability of clinics across urban, rural, and high-needs communities," he said.
"These commitments recognise that general practice - and the face-to-face care that it provides to communities - is not just another part of the health system. It is the part that keeps people well and relieves pressure on hospitals."
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) also welcomed the announcement, saying it would provide financial incentives for GPs to buy into an existing general practice or establish a new practice.
"General practice is a phenomenal career," college president Dr Luke Bradford said. "This step, if it comes into effect, would remove barriers and encourage more doctors into leadership roles, while also allowing us to compete with other medical specialities for trainees.
"GP owners undertake a huge amount of discretionary work in service to their communities and alongside their clinical care, including leadership and governance, the ongoing operational aspects of running a practice, and helping to maintain a pipeline and route into ownership for our younger doctors.
"Having acknowledgement of this work is gratifying and will go a long way to attracting more doctors into this profession."
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