Planned care training funding
Training in planned care for the primary care workforce.
Funding is available to train the primary and community workforce to provide more planned care. Planned care is the scheduled, non-urgent care that has usually meant a trip to hospital.
The goal is fewer hospital referrals and presentations, with patients seen sooner and nearer to where they live. This funding pays for the training.
Who it is for
Professionals working in primary and community care: GPs and GP trainees, nurse practitioners, registered and enrolled nurses, and allied health professionals. In every case the training must build your ability to provide planned care closer to home.
The rules, in short:
The training must be relevant to planned care, and properly accredited or approved
You must intend to provide planned care once you have trained
Funding covers course fees, backfill or locum cover, and travel and accommodation where distance makes that necessary.
Funding is not automatic. Applications are checked against eligibility first. If demand is greater than the budget, they are then prioritised on equity, with priority where need is greatest, including rural communities and areas with service gaps.
What training is covered
Funding covers EPCC-approved planned care training, face-to-face, blended or online, from accredited or approved providers.
The first approved areas are abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic prolapse, skin lesions at different training levels, and dermoscopy. More will be added over time.
How much you can apply for
There is a maximum per person, set higher for rural applicants to reflect the extra cost of access:
| Who | Rural maximum | Urban maximum |
|---|---|---|
| GPs and nurse practitioners | $10,000 | $6,000 |
| Registered nurses, enrolled nurses and allied health professionals | $2,500 | $2,000 |
There is no set minimum. Funding is paid against actual costs up to your cap, so apply for what you need.
Locum cover is reimbursed at the nationally agreed rates. Travel is eligible where the journey is over 60 kilometres.
To apply email us at kiaora@workforcehub.co.nz and we will send you the right form to complete.