Shortage of GPs hits hard

An ageing population, including its doctors, has Horowhenua at the sharp end of a national GP shortage.

Figures paint a grim portrait of the district’s struggle to attract GPs during a national doctor shortage.

Horowhenua had an average of 57.8 fulltime GPs per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 69.8, Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners chief executive Helen Morgan-Banda said.

Horowhenua also has the thirdhighest ageing population behind Thames-Coromandel and Ka¯piti Coast.

GPs in Horowhenua were also ageing, Morgan-Banda said. In MidCentral DHB, which includes Levin, 55 per cent of GPs are 55 or older, compared to the national average of 42 per cent. Thirty-six per cent would reach retirement age in the next five years, compared to the national average of 27 per cent.

A common issue for GPs wanting to work in smaller centres was ensuring there were education opportunities for their children, particularly beyond secondary school, she said. People also moved where there were opportunities for their partners.

Levin youth specialty doctor Glenn Colquhoun said working in Levin had its benefits. The community was kind and he had the opportunity to get to know his patients.

But many GPs did not have that luxury, as they were pressured to work fast and spend less time with patients, he said.

General practice also had less variety than it used to, as GPs were no longer required for tasks such as delivering babies.