General practices are on the brink of closing down because of the Covid-19 level 4 lockdown, interim chair of GenPro and rural GP Dr Tim Malloy says. Photo: ODT filesDr Malloy told the Epidemic Response Committee today that GPs are facing financial uncertainty and the funding model needs revision. Most of the work GPs do is accident-related, with almost a third of income coming from ACC, but this work has dried up, Dr Malloy said. His own GP practice saw a 28% decrease in business, meaning it wasn't eligible for the wage subsidy, he said. INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL TIME, SAY MIDWIVESCollege of Midwives chief executive Alison Eddy says she's concerned pre-existing issues regarding midwifery funding and morale have been exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 29, 2020 00:11 UTC