13 December 2006
Minor skin surgery initiative given approval - skin GPSIs coming to Bay
Bay of Plenty District Health Board has gained approval and funding from the Ministry of Health to progress a minor skin
surgery initiative with an aim to reduce waiting times and improve service delivery.
Planning for the $44,000 initiative is now progressing to the working stage in consultation with health board staff and
PHOs.
Twelve GPs in the Bay of Plenty (ten in Tauranga/Mount Maunganui and two in Whakatane) will be provided with advanced
skin surgery training to gain sub-specialist skills in minor skin surgery. In GP speak, they will become GPSI’s - GPs
with Special Interests.
Chief Operating Officer Graham Dyer says that this will provide an option for minor skin surgeries to be undertaken by a
GPSI at a GP practice rather than a surgical consultant based at the hospital.
Minor skin surgery referrals will continue to be received by the health board and categorised by an appropriately
skilled doctor.
Mr Dyer explains that approximately 35% of current referrals for minor skin surgery are able to be appropriately treated
in the primary care setting provided GPs have been adequately trained.
“In the last financial year 570 minor skin procedures were performed in the secondary setting that could be delivered by
an appropriately trained GP.”
GPs will undergo training in the early new year, with the pilot completed by June 2007.
ENDS