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The National Hauora Coalition will double its enrolled population to more than 200,000 patients by bringing another 23 general practices under the Primary Health Organisation.
This includes an increase of Māori enrolled patients from 18,000 to 42,000.
Seventeen practices in Waikato and six in Waitematā will join in October, adding to the 30 practices the coalition now services in Auckland, Counties- Manukau, Waikato and Whanganui District Health Boards.
Chief executive Simon Royal says while the GP or family doctor is the most visible part of the primary care system, primary health organisations act as funders and as advocates for services and models of care.
"We are very conscious around Māori values, tikanga Māori. We are very conscious around Māori preferences, Māori aspirations. It is a very explicit part of our charter and it is a crucial and important part of the advancement of Māori industry interests in primary care which I hope over the next 10 years will grow," he says.
The west Auckland practices have been able to come in because Waitematā DHB has changed its two PHO policy to allow the coalition to act as a PHO in its own right.
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