21 Sep 2012

15-minute visit not enough, doctors told

5:17 pm on 21 September 2012

Family doctors say the typical 15-minute GP appointment is not enough for some patients with complex health needs.

Royal New Zealand College of Practitioners president Harry Pert told a health conference in Auckland on Friday doctors' funding should be reviewed to help them address growing patient needs.

He says he supports the current universal patient subsidies, known as capitation, which are based on the age and gender of patients.

But he says something else taking account of need should be added to provide better access to care.

He says 15-minute medicine is not appropriate for some patients, and the funding must be found to enable doctors to re-allocate their time when required.