Not all Kiwi kids get to visit a doctor when they need to

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-02-08 12:37

New Zealand

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A survey of mothers has revealed that 5% of New Zealand toddlers have faced barriers in accessing healthcare from a GP. The most common reason was an inability to get an appointment, although cost was a contributing factor for a number of Pacific families who were less likely to be enrolled at a practice. Māori and Pacific babies who didn't see a doctor were twice as likely to be hospitalised by the time they were four-and-a-half years old than their Pākeha counterparts. Researchers speculate this may be because Māori and Pacific babies are more likely to lack access on multiple occasions, and for a mix of reasons.