Physician associates may be able to fill some of the gaps in healthcare access

The Government's regulating the profession - in an attempt to build up the workforce over the coming years.

About 50 overseas-trained physician associates are currently working in primary care and hospital settings - assisting with clinical and administrative tasks to meet patient's needs.

NZ Physician Associate Society's Paul Queior , says they work and are educated in a similar way to GPs.

He says you can be confident you're getting highly trained, skilled medical care - and team-based access to those same GPs and their services.