The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network is calling for the urgent establishment of rural testing stations in the
face of the COVID-19 pandemic to cater for not only locals but also an influx of out-of-towners.
NZRGPN Chairperson and rural GP Dr Fiona Bolden says feedback from rural practices is that there is already a huge
influx of people coming from cities to their beach baches and rural getaways.
Dr Bolden is calling on the Government and DHBs with support from Civil Defence and even the military to support setting
up testing stations.
“We do not currently have capacity to manage our own populations particularly as our staff become unwell, let alone
being able to manage this extra influx of people who may well be bringing COVID with them. We need people to understand
that this is an isolation period not a holiday period.
“We are very concerned that this disease will just increase the current inequity for rural populations in terms of
access to health.
“We urgently need testing stations set up rurally so that we can get the testing done with minimal travelling for those
impacted and reduce the risk to the local health practitioners and community. We especially need testing stations in low
decile areas and areas with high elderly populations in rural areas.
“Things are happening and changing quickly and news is filtering through to the frontline very slowly. If we have any
chance of controlling the impact this will have on our rural people and health services, we need to put much more
support into the communities as soon as possible.
“Rural practitioners request the public not to move out to rural baches and to the beach to self-isolate as there are
not the resources there to manage.”