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. First published in 2016, this position statement was updated in 2024 to show our support for actions that move Aotearoa New Zealand's health sector towards sustainability.

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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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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

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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