Urgent call for more Pacific GPs in NZ

Aotearoa-based Pacific doctors are calling for greater influence in shaping primary healthcare, especially within the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).

According to the college’s 2022 Workforce Survey, Pacific GPs make up two per cent of the workforce, far below the nearly 8.9 per cent (442,632) Pacific share of New Zealand’s population.

The Pacific population has been growing at a rate twice as fast as the national average, with predictions indicating an 11 per cent increase by 2043.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Dr Aniva Lawrence, a candidate for the Pacific chapter, says it is vital Pacific GP numbers increase.

The Whāngarei-based Sāmoan GP says that representation at a governance level is key to addressing the inequities faced by Pacific communities in healthcare.

“In order to do that, you really need a voice and a vote within, at a governance level, to change how things are currently going,” Lawrence says.

“Our chapter is trying to lobby around representation at a Board level because of the equity issues that affect our population from a health perspective currently in New Zealand.”

She explains that the Board governs the college and influences strategic directions and operational matters.

“And the college oversees all the training of primary care doctors within New Zealand. “Also [it] has one of the largest memberships of doctors in New Zealand. We have about 5000 members currently nationally.”

Listen to Dr Aniva Lawrence’s full interview below.

The college’s earlier survey identified increased patient complexity, burnout and heavy workloads as significant challenges for GPs.

Lawrence says Pacific GPs are also experiencing workforce shortages on the frontline, emphasising the need for younger GPs to aim for leadership roles beyond clinical positions.

Historically, Pacific representation at the board level has been limited, which Lawrence attributes partly to the skill-set requirements and the demanding nature of general practice.

“Twenty years ago, the board was mainly made up of European males, and now it's definitely more diverse and has a stronger representation of Māori. “But Pacific is often not able to be present from a board skills level.”

The RNZCGP’s survey found that increased patient complexity, burnout and heavy workloads continue to burden the health sector. Photo/Supplied

Lawrence says Dr Api Talemaitoga was a previous board member and an influential Pacific health representative who contributed to strategic changes in the sector.

As a practice owner, she can manage the workflow and overcome the challenges mentioned more effectively.“I still love my job… I can kind of control what's in my remit to control within my own team, within the way that we deliver services to our community.

“[I encourage] junior doctors to find the spaces that they feel most comfortable in and they feel safest in as well at this current time and this current political climate.”