April 27, 2023
Putea to boost Māori primary health services
The Government is putting $44 million over the next two years into primary care providers to deliver high-quality services focused on benefitting Māori and Pacific populations.
Minister of Health Minister Ayesha Verrall and Associate Minister Peeni Henare says it will involve setting up comprehensive care teams including kaiāwhina, physiotherapists, pharmacists, care coordinators, and in some rural areas, paramedics.
In the first phase, kaiāwhina roles will be introduced across Counties Manukau, Northland, Auckland, Waitematā and Bay of Plenty regions.
Dr Verrrall says there is funding for up to 193 additional frontline clinical team members across the country to focus on early intervention, faster treatment and better support for whanau, with the priority given to providers serving Māori, Pacific, and rural populations with complex needs.
Mr Henare says the funding will help address the findings of the WAI2575 claim that criticised the capitation funding system for not addressing factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age.