7352 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

7352 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has Health New Zealand or the Ministry of Health completed an assessment of the impact of the 24/7 online GP service on enrolled general practice patient volumes, if so, on what date?

Hon Simeon Brown: The Government’s new Online GP Care service is a demand driven service which ensures New Zealanders can get timely medical advice and treatment when in-person appointments aren’t available. This is all part of our goal to fix the basics and build the future. With this initiative, our focus is on ensuring New Zealanders can access healthcare when they need it. Online GP Care is already supporting tens of thousands of people, and it is an important part of our plan to deliver a more accessible and responsive health system that puts patients at the centre. I am advised that Health New Zealand continues to monitor and report the usage of this service, which is a key part of our plan to strengthen primary care.