People with mental health conditions are reporting a lower standard of primary healthcare

A study in the Medical Journal looked at responses from 200 thousand people about experiences with general practice.

It found those with mental health conditions reported more barriers to care - and consistently worse experiences.

Otago University public health professor Ruth Cunningham says many talked about not being treated with respect, given enough time or listened to.

She says that can flow on to effect the care people receive, and their health outcomes.