A GP shortage around the country is causing medical practices to shut their books to new patients. A GP shortage has seen as least 36 per cent of practices in Nelson Tasman close to new registrations. “There is a high expectation to do a lot of out-of-clinic work hours.”A number of primary health organisations around the country say the GP shortage is forcing practices to close to new enrolments. Supplied/Nelson Mail Nelson Bays Primary Health chief executive Sara Shaughnessy says 36 per cent of the Nelson region’s general practices have closed their books due to a GP shortage. Nelson GP spokesman Graham Loveridge said there was definitely a “workforce issue, but there’s also a workload issue”.

Source: Stuff August 15, 2021 16:52 UTC