Primary care is a vital component of the healthcare system, but it's often overlooked and underfunded in New Zealand. Despite its crucial role in preventing health problems from becoming more expensive, the country's funding model fails to adequately recognize and compensate for the complex clinical work that primary care professionals perform. This article explores the issue of underfunding in primary care and its consequences, highlighting the need for a shift in funding models to prioritize complexity-based funding over volume-based transactions. By addressing the hidden subsidy and ensuring that primary care professionals are properly compensated for their time and expertise, New Zealand can strengthen its healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.
