Curing NZ's health system: First halt the deterioration, primary care leader says
Dr. Bryan Betty, outgoing chair of General Practice NZ, argues that the health system must prioritize stopping deterioration over quick fixes. He criticizes previous rapid centralization reforms and supports a return to regional decision-making.
Why it matters
The debate over health system structure and resource allocation is critical for addressing wait times and service failures in public healthcare.
Top priority for the health system should be stopping deterioration, not promising a quick fix, says Dr Bryan Betty on his final day as chair of General Practice NZ.
His move from the role to the board of Health NZ was announced in April, after holding the position since 2023.
It is a path that's been taken before - his predecessor, Jeff Lowe, had also left to join the health agency's board.
Board members are appointed by the minister, a fact which GPNZ says reflects how important primary care expertise is to the overall sector across governments.
Betty told RNZ, in an interview the day before beginning the new role, it was the right time for a change.
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