A potential boost for both patients and practitioners in rural areas

Pharmac is proposing funding six medicines for use in community emergency care - bringing rural nurses, GPs and community-based midwives in line with hospitals and ambulances.

Rural Health Network Chair Fiona Bolden says one of the medicines on the list is ketamine, for severe pain and to intubate someone who has stopped breathing.

She says another one is using a drug to control severe bleeding, which is important in emergency situations.

Consultation is open until December 19.