NZRGPN Backs College of GPs Employment Tender Bid

NZRGPN Backs College of GPs Employment Tender Bid

The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network fully supports the Royal New Zealand College of GPs in its bid to become the employer of GPs in their first year of training.

Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) released an expression of interest document for a new employer for first-year GPEP registrars on May 31, 2012. This sees an about face by HWFNZ, which in February 2012, decided that District Health Boards would be the employers of first-year GPEP registrars from December 2013.

On June 1, the College of GPs signalled its intention to submit a tender, with its President Dr Harry Pert saying it is well placed to do so.

New Zealand Rural General Practice Network chairman Dr Jo Scott-Jones agrees with Dr Pert that the College of GPs is well placed to provide this service to GP trainees and looks forward to a rapid resolution of the current confusion.

“We do not need any more barriers to GP training,” says Dr Scott-Jones.

“It is intolerable and ridiculous that doctors looking to begin their GP training in December had until June 1 to apply for positions and then on June 1 HWNZ released a tender for organisations to provide this service. Clearly this needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

“Having the whole training system run by the profession will allow it to focus training not only into places where teaching can be accredited and supported, but also areas of high need like rural communities, and we feel the College of GPs is well placed to perform this task,” says Dr Scott-Jones.

"The College has a rural faculty and a good relationship with the Network, which could help inform the employment and placement of GP registrars.
 
“Rural communities provide a highly valued and varied experience for trainees at undergraduate as well as postgraduate levels.

“Social accountability in medical education – considering the impact that health education has on the community that surrounds it - is an important trend in international health education, and can help ensure that training happens where trainees are needed and can have a positive effect on the health of the people around them.”

ENDS

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