Nelson Bays Primary Health is becoming increasingly concerned as wait times to see a GP in the region stretch to as long as four weeks.
On Monday, Nelson Bays Primary Health chief executive Sara Shaughnessy told AM those seeking healthcare from their GP are waiting for about two or even up to four weeks for an appointment.
It comes after The National Party announced its plan to slash wait times at GPs and boost immunisation rates.
At the weekend, the party outlined its health plan where it will re-introduce health targets, which would also include lowering wait times at emergency departments around the country, as well as reducing surgery and specialist waiting lists.
Shaughnessy said recent data from general practices across Nelson and Tasman shows 2000 more enrollments in the past two years.
"We're now at 110,000 enrollments, of that if I compare our data from this week to the same last year and the year before, there's 600 more appointments being offered per week," she said.
"And that's not on top of any extra staffing or any extra funding."
Lengthy wait times has Shaughnessy "very worried" about the vulnerable population, the aging population and especially children and babies.
"They need early appointments."
Joining AM's Ryan Bridge, Shaughnessy said immunisation rates in Nelson could be better, especially in the region’s Māori and Pasifika communities, as well as in two-year-olds.
If elected, National will introduce a one-off immunisation incentive payment, where GP clinics will be eligible for a one-off payment of $10 per enrolled patient on their books – provided they lift childhood immunisations.
Shaughnessy believes the payment could be beneficial and appeal to GPs on the front line.
"Accountability is important. Accountability in health care assists us in delivering. So what I understand [is] that the funding arrangements for immunisations will provide for general practice."
Watch the video above for more.
