Media Releases 2007

  • 18 December 2007

    RNZCGP members to get free access to BMJ Learning

    One of the world's most respected online learning services or GPs, BMJ Learning, will be available free to College members from 1 February 2008. read more

  • 13 December 2007

    125 doctors take first step towards specialist GP

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has announced the results of its annual Primary Membership Examination (PRIMEX). read more

  • 30 November 2007

    Storm of criticism of staff may not be helpful

    The attack of the “name, shame, blame” culture enveloping Wellington Hospital is likely to be counter-productive, believes the leading promoter of quality practice in primary care, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. read more

  • 26 November 2007

    First-time practices all funded through Cornerstone

    Quality care at the centre of primary health care is an important step forward towards improving the health of all New Zealanders. More than 700 general practices in PHOs in the country will be helped to prove the high standard of care they provide their patients after today's announcement of a $6.05 million boost for Cornerstone by the new Minister of Health, David Cunliffe. read more

  • 31 October 2007

    Changes at the top of the Health Ministry

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has welcomed the appointment of new Minister of Health David Cunliffe. read more

  • 27 September 2007

    Primary care where many of the solutions lie

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners believes that both the Government and the National Party have got it right – primary health care has the best answers to improve the health of all New Zealanders. read more

  • 17 July 2007

    PGY2/3 doubles as GP training gets serious

    The Minister of Health has approved the doubling of the successful Postgraduate Year 2/3 programme for 2008. Currently at 24, next year's intake will more than double to 50. Since its inception, PGY2/3 has attracted 63 percent of participants to continue into rural general practice. read more

  • 15 June 2007

    Action to alleviate GP shortage

    The College of GPs has hailed Government moves to double GP training numbers as a “serious start” to dealing to the GP shortage. Health Minister Pete Hodgson announced in Rotorua today he is to boost training numbers to more than 100 on the College’s “gold standard” Stage 1 of the General Practice Education Programme. GPEP prepares hospital-trained doctors to become specialist general practitioners. For the first year, they work one-on-one with top GPs read more

  • 2 May 2007

    Positive workforce recommendations

    The College of GPs welcomes the positive recommendations in the Workforce Taskforce report and looks forward to working with the Ministers as they establish the new Medical Training Board. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners provides vocational training for GPs and President Dr Jonathan Fox said he was very pleased with the concept of doctor training moving more into the community. “We have been advocating strongly for an increase in training numbers, and the signalling of a likely tripling of registrar numbers vindicates our submissions.” read more

  • 30 March 2007

    Primex changes

    Candidates for Primex must now participate in one of the College’s Stage I education programmes before being accepted for the end-of-year exam. Primex success carries with it Membership of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, and entry to the Stage II General Practice Education Programme. “We are trying to lift quality standards to further maintain patient safety, “ says College CEO Karen Thomas read more

  • 30 March 2007

    Auckland Laboratory testing dispute

    Asked for comment on court decision: The College of GPs has welcomed the "sensible solution" to the Auckland laboratory dispute. read more

  • 16 February 2007

    DHBNZ Asked for College opinion of DHBNZ

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners continues to build an effective relationship with DHBNZ. This organisation offers a central and more efficient pathway to the 21 DHBs and we look forward to continued expansion of this role. read more