Health Minister Tony Ryall has told a rural GPs' conference in Christchurch he expects more patients will be treated by primary health providers, as demand for healthcare increases.
Mr Ryall says demand for healthcare is expected to double in the next 10 years.
However, he says the government can't afford to double the number of doctors and nurses.
Mr Ryall says the health sector can expect a fair share of the budget this year but the budget increase won't be as high as previous years.
He says the Government wants to help GPs develop integrated family health centres, so more patients can be treated in the community and the pressure can be taken off hospitals.
The minister says 20 more places will be available in medical schools next year for students from rural backgrounds.
However, some of the doctors in the audience told the minister they don't have the resources or funding to accept students at their rural practices.
Doctors at rural hospitals say they're also facing service cuts as their district health boards try to find ways to save money.
