State of Rural Healthcare

About this special report

In an ongoing series, Neal Wallace takes a look at the dire state of rural healthcare in New Zealand, the challenges rural communities face from a shortage of medical professionals and access to services but also the measures being taken to rectify the situation.

Pay deal could worsen rural nursing shortage

New equity agreements exclude those working in community and primary facilities.

South Otago rural health entities join forces

Five services sign up to ‘collaborative network’.

Rural Health Network welcomes new strategy

‘Vision is for all people living in rural communities to live long and healthy lives’.

Study flags higher mortality in rural NZ

Under-30s in the most rural communities are dying twice as fast as city peers.

Network welcomes ‘mighty first step’ for rural health

Workforce plan and election promise ‘reflect our thinking'.

Bringing health services to rural women

A Dunedin gynaecologist sold her home to fund a bus that brings better health care to women in remote areas.

Review urged to look at helivac funding

Feds hopes health audit will also address inequity in rural-urban health provision.

Health NZ reviews rural after-hours care

Increasing numbers of patients choppered to towns.

Helicopter health filling rural gap

First responders increasingly relied on to meet need.

Minister praises rural health ‘resilience’

Sector has challenges but is not collapsing, says Prime.

Reti flags ‘resigned desperation’ of rural GPs

National’s health spokesperson says former colleagues are exhausted.

100 rural GP posts empty for a year

In the interim, communities have found their own solutions such as a mobile healthcare facility to assist women.

Rural GP practice delivers joys and trials

It’s not all tough going, recalls long-serving rural doctor.

Admin absurdity is driving Clutha’s health staff away

Community-owned healthcare provider Clutha Health First is typical of the frustrations faced by rural health providers.

A tired nurse rests on a couch with her head in her hands.

Rural health frontline workers feel ‘misunderstood, frustrated’

Small rural hospitals, often the only source of healthcare for the 25% of New Zealanders who live in rural areas, are feeling neglected, misunderstood, frustrated and burnt out.