July 17, 2014
Network applauds extra rural medical student allocation
The announcement by Health Minister Tony Ryall of an additional 34 medical places for students next year at the
country’s two medical schools, 17 of which will be earmarked for rural students is extremely encouraging, says New
Zealand Rural General Practice Network deputy chairperson Sharon Hansen.
Rural New Zealand and its communities face an ongoing challenge to train, recruit and retain doctors. The fact that
these extra medical training places are targeted at those wanting to work in rural New Zealand goes to the very core of
the problem, says Ms Hansen.
Research suggests that students who come from and train in rural communities are more likely to return to work in rural
areas, so the latest announcement is certainly pleasing.
“However, it is a long way from medical school to having a general practitioner working in the rural sector, and support
will be required beyond medical school.
“It is equally important that their exposure to rural based education is repeated throughout their training years,
especially in multidisciplinary training sites alongside rural nursing and allied health students.”
While the Network applauds the additional training places it looks forward to more similar initiatives to bolster the
rural medical workforce into the future, says Ms Hansen.
“The Network and the rural health sector has for many years been acutely concerned about the rapidly ageing GP
population in rural, the inability to train, recruit and retain New Zealand doctors to the rural sector and the reliance
on International Medical Graduates to fill the void.
“We are still some way off future-proofing the health and well-being of rural New Zealand, its communities and people in
this respect,” says Ms Hansen.
Half of the positions will be offered to rural students through the Regional and Rural Admissions Scheme at the
University of Auckland and the Rural Sub Category at the University of Otago. The other 17 places will be offered to
students through the Universities’ other application routes.
Auckland University will increase the number of students on its Regional and Rural Admissions Scheme from 40 to 52 from
2015. Meanwhile, Otago University has increased its number from 50 to 55 from the same year.
Since 2009 this government has now funded 170 extra medical school places. The funding of these additional medical
places is part of the $18 million the government made available for post-graduate education and training of doctors in
this year’s Budget. Latest Ministry of Health data from March 2014 showed 7,518 doctors and 21,598 nurses are employed
by district health boards – over 1,500 more doctors and 3,200 more nurses compared to 2008.
ENDS