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Funding Primary Health Care for Kids - Why is this so hard?

Despite a superb natural environment for childhood, New Zealand has a disappointing record in child health - most recently noted by a report of 29 OECD countries which ranks New Zealand at the bottom.

The authors of a paper in the latest Journal of Primary Healthcare call for debate about the best way to make sure children under six get access to after-hours primary healthcare. Written by Auckland GP Nikki Turner, Wellington GP Tony Dowell, former Medical Students Association president Nick Fancourt and head of Auckland University's paediatrics department Innes Asher, the viewpoint says there are examples around the country of free after-hours care for under sixes.

The group suggests more research be done into the actual health benefit for families in having free after-hours access for their youngest members, but that having a debate about the issue and trying innovative ways of delivering care to this population should not wait.

This article 'Primary health care funding for children under six years of age in New Zealand: why is this so hard?' can be read here.