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Position statements

Our position statements tell you what matters to us. They’re developed through discussion, communication with experts, and literature review, to put a stake in the ground about what we think on a particular topic.

Position statements

Climate change, health and general practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific position statement

The current and projected effects of climate change on health and equity led The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) to believe that general practice has a key role to play in raising awareness of the impacts of climate change on health, in social leadership and the promotion of appropriate lifestyle choices, in advocating for health-protecting climate policy and in supporting health sector movement towards sustainable systems.

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Position statements

Specialist GP telehealth consultations position statement

This position statement focuses on specialist GP telehealth consultations, through phone, video, or secure messaging.

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Position statements

Gender Pay Equity position statement

This position statement focuses on the gender pay gap, which measures the difference between the median hourly pay of female and male incomes as a percentage of the median hourly pay of men.

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Position statements

A manifesto for general practice

An equitable, accessible health-positive model - the College's manifesto, written by the President, GPs, and rural hospital doctors during New Zealand's first lockdown in 2020.

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Position statements

Direct to consumer advertising position statement

Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medications causes considerable public harm through misinformation and the stimulation of demand for unsuitable or unnecessary, costly treatment, leading to inappropriate prescribing. The College advocates that legislation should be amended to prioritise the protection of public health over the interests of private industry: DTCA of prescription medications should be prohibited.

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Position statements

Nurse practitioners’ contribution to general practice teams

This statement clarifies the difference between nurse practitioners and specialist general practitioners (GPs) within their respective disciplines.

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Position statements

Medicinal cannabis prescribing

The regulatory regime for medicinal cannabis in New Zealand changed in 2020 to make it easier for specialist GPs and other registered medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis medicines and products. This statement provides a position for our members to review and refer to before making clinical judgements about medicinal cannabis prescribing.

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Position statements

Smoking and vaping

To effectively reduce the harm from tobacco and vaping, the College has developed positions outlining how to protect our rangatahi, support people who smoke or used to smoke and protect all people from the potential harm from vaping.

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