The Rural General Practice Network has welcomed the 4.3% increase in health funding in the Budget, saying it will benefit rural communities.
The network's chair, Jo Scott-Jones, says that includes more money for first-point-of-contact GP services, in particular the Very Low Cost Access services.
He says the $18 million earmarked for 40 more medical training places is also helpful in addressing long-term rural health workforce shortages.
The country's two medical schools run rural immersion training schemes.
Dr Scott-Jones says extra beds and resources for dementia patients will help rural areas struggling with the growing demand for elderly care.
A $12 million boost for rheumatic fever prevention will be a particular relief, he says, for rural communities in Northland and Bay of Plenty that have the highest incidence of the disease.
The network is also pleased to see continued funding for the Voluntary Bonding Scheme, although it wants the scheme adjusted to support rural primary care nursing.