Martin Johnston, New Zealand Doctor Journalist Profile

Articles

The battle for the Bay of Plenty: Western PHO, Tend Health trade shots

1 day ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston

+News The battle for the Bay of Plenty: Western PHO, Tend Health trade shots Western Bay of Plenty co-chair Graeme Elvin has criticised two corporate general practice owners for what he says appears to be prioritising profits over patient care [Image: Supplied] Essentials Western Bay of Plenty PHO leaders have fired off criticism over the plans of some corporates to switch PHO or seek direct govern, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber? Unlock...
Chief’s ‘grave concerns’ over PHO-switch plans

2 days ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston

+News Chief’s ‘grave concerns’ over PHO-switch plans Western Bay of Plenty PHO chief executive Lindsey Webber has raised concerns about how the transfer of about 10 practices to another PHO is being conducted [Image: Supplied] Essentials  Green Cross Health wants to shift its nine Bay of Plenty practices to the Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance PHO. , READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Mr Brown’s Diary: Week 15 - The virtues of ministerial interference

6 days ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Patrice Dougan |Martin Johnston

+Opinion Reporter’s Diary Mr Brown’s Diary: Week 15 – The virtues of ministerial interference A bit of postal, a bit of Auckland and not so much health ministering for Simeon Brown in week 15 [Image: Canva composite] Simeon Brown's official ministerial diary March 2025 Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here. Related Articles
Tend pushes on for direct contracting without PHOs

6 days ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston

+News Tend pushes on for direct contracting without PHOs Tend Health co-chief executive and co-founder Cecilia Robinson is pushing for direct contracting for general practice capitation funding [Image: Supplied] Essentials  General practices must generally contract with a PHO to receive capitation funding. More than 10 Tend Health pra, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
All shook up: Eastern Bay of Plenty PHO aims to engage more with stakeholders

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston

+News All shook up: Eastern Bay of Plenty PHO aims to engage more with stakeholders Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance PHO has been restructured in preparation for the intended arrival of new general practices on 1 July [Image: iStock] Essentials Green Cross Health and Third Age Health want to change PHO in the Bay of Plenty. They want to leave the Western Bay, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Urgent care manager labels ACC’s proposed pricing increases ‘insulting’

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Stephen Forbes |Martin Johnston

+News Urgent care manager labels ACC’s proposed pricing increases ‘insulting’ ACC pricing increases will see urgent-care clinics receive a 0.8 per cent from 1 July [Image: mgcatfish on iStock] Essentials A new round of price increases from ACC, which cover both urgent and primary healthcare, fails to meet the true costs of providing, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here.
Double duty for expanded clinical director role at Green Cross medical division

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston |Maia Hall

+News Role Call Double duty for expanded clinical director role at Green Cross medical division Queenstown specialist GP Kim Hurst is the new clinical director of the Green Cross Health medical division [Image: Supplied] Essentials Specialist GP Kim Hurst is the new clinical director of the Green Cross Health medical division. She replaces spec, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Willis warns of a ‘tight’ budget to come, but NZ should be going for productivity, not austerity

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Stephen Forbes |Martin Johnston |Tim Tenbensel |Peter Huskinson

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has warned her 2025 “Growth Budget” will be “one of the tightest budgets in a decade”, with plans to reduce spending by billions. It’s clear New Zealand is following a global trend towards austerity by focusing on reducing government spending and lowering government debt. Complicating the economic picture for the government are Donald Trump’s tariffs and his trade war with China.
Masterton charity clinic faces closure after PHO declines general practice funding contract

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Zahra Shahtahmasebi |Keira Stephenson |Martin Johnston

+News Masterton charity clinic faces closure after PHO declines general practice funding contract Run by the charity Manaaki ki Wairarapa Community Trust, the clinic made headlines last year for being reliant on donations and sales of donated jam to stay in the black [Image: Hamish Sandilands on Unsplash] Essentials Masterton’s First Health and Wellness Centre may have to close after being declined for a general practice contract.
Mr Brown’s Diary: Week 14 - Surprise announcements and strikes

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Barbara Fountain |Stephen Forbes |Jonathan Chilton-Towle |Martin Johnston

+Opinion Reporter’s Diary Mr Brown’s Diary: Week 14 – Surprise announcements and strikes Week 14 on the job has been busy for health minister Simeon Brown.