Wairarapa still has a low socio-economic base and people just can't afford trips to Wellington or the Hutt to see a specialist. This is fact. In 1992, a return to individually-funded health areas was again mooted but this was slated by former Wairarapa District Health Service manager Chris Davis. Wairarapa people have to be careful this isn't the direction integrated care is heading. Our doctors are simply saying they want to retain the same level of services, which means they want to carry on doing the same operations and offering the same care as they are now.
Doctors gain no real benefit from opposing the scheme.
They will still only be able to see a certain number of patients a day, no matter who is paying for it. As it is they are rushed off their feet. Wairarapa is short of six doctors and the GPs we do have must pick up the extra workload. This could indeed go up as national funding increases, but latest trends have been for funding on a needs basis to decrease. Once our public health system has passed away, there is little chance of reviving it.