Celebrating the Primary Care Taskforce’s impact

When the Primary Care Taskforce (PCTF) convened in early 2023, general practice in Canterbury was under growing pressure. At the inaugural meeting, Project Manager Linda Wensley described the moment as an opportunity for the sector to respond together. 

“An incredible and motivated group of primary care and community leaders have stepped up to address the pressures facing primary care and improve access to care for our community,” she said. 

That collaborative approach would go on to shape the Taskforce’s work and deliver practical benefits for Canterbury practices. 

One of the PCTF’s first steps was a capacity survey in June 2023, which drew responses from more than half of Waitaha practices. The results highlighted the pressures facing the sector. Many GPs and practice nurses said they planned to leave or retire from general practice within the next three to five years. Increasing administrative demands and inefficient referral pathways were also reducing the time available for proactive care. 

For PCTF Chair Dr Kim Burgess, the findings provided a clear starting point. 

“The survey highlights urgent areas of focus that require collaborative efforts across all levels of our health system,” she said. 

From there, the Taskforce focused on practical support for practices. A suite of resource kete was developed to help teams trial new approaches and learn from each other. Early work focused on clinical inbox management and integrating pharmacists into practice teams, supported by videos, webinars and peer-to-peer learning. 

“Having a medical student manage the inbox was a game-changer,” Redcliffs Medical Centre general practitioner Dr Felix Rueppell said. “It saved us valuable time, reduced burnout, and enhanced both patient safety and continuity of care.” 

With many clinicians considering leaving practice within five years, the Taskforce also turned its attention to sustaining the workforce. Through interviews and focus groups, the PCTF explored both the challenges clinicians faced and what kept them committed to the profession. The research also showed that better access to wellbeing and clinical support, along with a positive team-oriented workplace culture, would influence decisions to remain. 

For many, the answer lay in the relationships at the heart of general practice. One GP described it as “the best job in the world,” reflecting the value of long-standing patient relationships and strong collegiality. 

Those insights informed the Sustaining GP Wellbeing Toolkit, which offers practical actions, pathways to professional support and guidance for creating practice environments where clinicians can thrive. 

The PCTF concluded at the end of March. Pegasus Health remains committed to the collaborative approach that defined the Taskforce and to supporting a sustainable, patient-centred future for primary care in Canterbury.