Bryan Betty
Deputy Medical Director Primary Care
Medical
pharmac
New Zealand
Biography
It’s important for PHARMAC to stay in touch with developments in clinical practice, and that’s exactly what Bryan Betty’s role seeks to achieve. Dr Betty joined PHARMAC in 2015 as Deputy Medical Director Primary Care. It’s an important link keeping PHARMAC in touch with issues in primary care. PHARMAC shares Dr Betty with his job as a GP practicing in the Porirua suburb of Cannons Creek. It’s a busy practice in one of Wellington’s most deprived communities, a place where Dr Betty stays grounded and motivated. “Equity and equity issues and things like access to healthcare for all people have been big motivators through my career.”
Research Interest
He joined PHARMAC because it shares his interest in equity and broad access to care, so there’s a natural synergy. Dr Betty describes his role as having three parts – external relations with the primary care community; making sure primary care issues are thought about within PHARMAC; and providing a clinical eye over operational decisions. Both he and Medical Director John Wyeth continue to practice, something Dr Betty thinks is essential for the role.
