Source: Nine To Noon RNZ
Allied health professionals who work alongside doctors, nurses and dentists say they are being under-utilised and could help deliver better health outcomes.
But they say the system needs to change.
There are 30 thousand allied health professionals around the country including audiologists, dietitians, physiotherapy, psychologists, social workers, chiropractors and acupuncturists.
The organisation representing many of them, Allied Health Aotearoa, says public hospitals and GP practices are under tremendous pressure, which could be allieviated if their members were publicly-funded and fully integrated into the health system.
Kathryn speaks with spokesperson, Auckland dietitian Kath Eastwood.