The call is part of RACS’ 2026 election priorities, which seek commitments from the next government on workforce, needs-based equitable healthcare, and investment in the infrastructure required to deliver surgery.
RACS is calling on political parties to commit to evidence-based decisions about how healthcare resources are allocated, so unmet need for surgery is addressed and resources are distributed fairly according to need.
Dr Alice Febery, a general, breast and endocrine surgeon in Invercargill and Aotearoa New Zealand representative on the RACS Rural Health Equity Steering Committee, says geography should not be a barrier to accessing surgical care.
“As a surgeon in a regional centre, I see the impact on patients when surgical services aren’t easily accessible. They may have to travel long distances for treatment, stay away from home for extended periods, and manage a difficult time in their lives without the support of family and friends close by.
“Achieving equitable access means understanding where the need is greatest and directing resources accordingly. That requires good data, a surgical workforce that is appropriately distributed to meet community needs, and sustained investment in regional and rural services.”
RACS’ draft Aotearoa New Zealand Regional and Rural Health Equity Strategy identifies key actions to improve access to surgical care in regional and rural communities. These include collecting better data on ethnicity and rurality to identify unmet need and inform healthcare planning, and building a surgical workforce that better reflects Aotearoa’s population and is available where it is needed.
RACS is also calling for increased rural surgical training opportunities, the removal of barriers for rural candidates entering surgical training, and improved recruitment and retention of surgeons in regional and rural communities.
The draft strategy also highlights the importance of supporting rural surgeons to maintain broad scopes of practice, strengthening links between regional and metropolitan hospitals, and improving access to professional development and clinical support.
“Equity does not mean delivering the same services in every location,” Dr Febery said.
“It means making decisions based on need and ensuring people can access the surgical care they require, wherever they live.”
