33026 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

33026 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Is there any requirement for a telehealth provider to offer a face to face service in a location near a patient's usual residence or place of work in order for the patient to enrol with the provider; if not why not?

Hon Simeon Brown: As the Member will be aware, the new Online GP Care providers are not enrolling services. These services give patients greater access to the care they need, but do not replace the critical role of GPs, who are responsible for their patients’ continuity of care. That’s why providers will be required to send clinical notes back to a patient’s GP after an appointment, reflecting our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare. The Member may wish to review my recent press release: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/kiwis-can-now-access-247-primary-healthcare-anywhere-new-zealand