Why the family GP model is evolving under pressure

Monday, 16 February 2026

For many New Zealanders, getting a GP appointment feels harder than it used to.

Longer wait times, limited availability and difficulty enrolling with local practices have become familiar frustrations, particularly since the pandemic.

Research backs up that experience. Access to primary healthcare has become more challenging in recent years, driven by a combination of factors, including workforce shortages, an ageing population, and increasingly complex patient needs.

“Yes, research does show that accessing your GP has become harder since the pandemic, often with longer wait times for routine appointments and difficulty enrolling with practices locally,” says Dr Kim Hurst, Clinical Director at The Doctors Medical Centres.

“Multiple pressures are driving this including complexity of care, an aging population, and shortage of GPs in New Zealand,” she says.

Those pressures are felt most keenly by people who rely on regular GP visits – parents with young children, older adults managing long-term conditions, and anyone needing ongoing support rather than a one-off consultation.

It’s why having a team of medical staff rather than just one primary physician tending to your needs is the way to go at The Doctors Medical Centres.

What people-centred, whole-of-life care looks like

The Doctors Medical Centre’s approach to primary care focuses on supporting patients across every stage of life through a team-based model of care.

Rather than relying on a single clinician for every need, this model brings together a wider group of health professionals to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care.

“This uses a team of health professionals to help look after your care, ensuring you can be seen by the right person, in the right place, at the right time,” she says.

Primary care teams have evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting both workforce changes and the growing complexity of patient needs.

“Primary care teams now include nurse practitioners and prescribers, health care assistants, health improvement practitioners and health coaches, and paramedics,” says Dr Hurst.

This broader approach allows care to be more flexible and responsive. For young families, it can mean earlier advice and intervention. For older adults, it supports better management of chronic conditions and continuity as health needs change over time.

This means rather than waiting for weeks on end for an appointment, you get taken care of sooner rather than later.

The role of national practice networks

At the same time, being part of a large national network allows services to be developed and delivered in ways that individual practices may not be able to achieve alone.

“Being part of a large national network enables us to develop services, such as our ADHD framework, to help patients benefit from government legislative changes,” says Dr Hurst.

That scale also helps direct support where it’s needed most.

“It also provides opportunities for us to share manpower to help alleviate some of the pressures faced by our most vulnerable communities,” she says.

Digital care has become a key part of that approach.

“Digital connectivity has really helped in this area with practices being able to ‘video in’ doctors from across the network,” says Dr Hurst.

Scale can also reduce administrative burden, allowing practices to focus more of their time and energy on patient care.

Why long-term GP relationships matter

That isn’t to say having a stable medical practice is a relic of the past. In fact, evidence consistently shows that continuity of care leads to better outcomes for patients over time, while urgent care and walk-in clinics play an important role in providing timely access when it’s needed.

“There's lots of evidence that continuity of care improves patient experience and outcomes,” says Dr Hurst.

She points to a range of benefits of seeing the same GP or care team regularly.

“These relationships build trust, improve medication adherence, boost preventative care uptake, and reduce hospital admissions,” she says.

Continuity also supports more proactive healthcare, helping issues to be identified earlier and managed more effectively. At the same time, Dr Hurst acknowledges that access remains a critical part of the equation.

“Access is also important, ensuring you can get the care you need when you need it, and this is where walk-in clinics can be helpful,” she says.

The challenge for the health system is balancing timely access with long-term, relationship-based care that supports better outcomes in the long run.

Increasingly, finding the right GP is less about a single appointment and more about enrolling with a practice that can support people and whānau over the long term.

Looking ahead to winter

As summer ends, many people are refocusing on their health as primary care services prepare for the pressures winter brings.

“Most people are resetting after the summer break, some newly invigorated with wellness goals,” says Dr Hurst.

Delays elsewhere in the system are also adding strain to primary care.

“Long waiting times for secondary care services are having an additional burden on patients and primary care,” she says.

With winter illness approaching, planning ahead becomes increasingly important.

“Of course, winter illness season is around the corner and this is often a time that we commit to helping to plan to manage those pressures in our communities,” says Dr Hurst.

Find out more about enrolling with The Doctors at thedoctors.co.nz, or learn more at thedoctors.co.nz/about-us