Waikato Medical School

It is well recognised that there is a critical shortage of GPs. Thsi is the responsibility of succesive governments.

It is also well recognised that the majority of PGY1 doctors wish to be surgeons. So either we are selecting the wrong people to train in medicine, or the training is not fit for purpose - or both.

While the government have commited to increasing the number of and conditions of GP training places (which is excellent), there actualy aren't any doctors to fill those places, so it is at present, all talk and no action.

There are no specialities in NZ that are currently NOT short of doctors.

The simple fact of the matter is, we need to train more doctors: we need to train more doctors who wish to be a GP; we need to improve the medical school training to encourage GPs.

Both Otago and Auckland medical schools had the oportunity to have more community focussed training when Waikato Medical School was first touted. Both promoised to change. Nothing ever changed.

The proposed Waikato Medical School would alleviate all of these issues.

It is community based training that is proven in similar models overseas.

It is post-grad only (suggesting it will select those that really want to do medicine, as opposed to selecting those that do medicine because they did well at school)

It will increse the medical workforce.

It wil be primarily aimed at general practice, but graduates coud equally do other specialities if they choose - it is an equal medical degree.

There are now no excuses to not proceed with a third medical school. To not do so will keep us heading down the same crisis road.

Why the contribution is important

Workforce crisis solution in both primary and secondary care

by Leamark on November 03, 2022 at 09:36AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.5
Based on: 16 votes

Comments

  • Posted by JanA November 03, 2022 at 14:41

    Much needed - the lack of medical staff anting to work in rural areas and primary care is an ongoing concern. A targeted postgraduate course with a specific focus on rural populations and a high focus on achieving equity is critical - sadly this will NOT be achieved by the current approach with two medical schools in large urban areas!

  • Posted by carlton November 03, 2022 at 20:05

    Agreed - should be a focused 4 year post graduate program for existing health professionals. The current system of making exisiting health care professionals complete 6 years to become doctors, compared to the international post grad model which is only 4 years, is inefficient and unnecessarily long and expensive.

  • Posted by ASP November 07, 2022 at 20:21

    Agree. A four year postgrad degree for other health professionals wanting to study medicine is much needed. It’s outdated and simply ridiculous to force graduates through 5 -6 years of the current MBCHB when a four year degree as commonly offered overseas would be as effective

  • Posted by Moo November 07, 2022 at 23:21

    Great post.
    Need GPs to provide continuity of care, preventive health, screening, early diagnosis and safe and appropriate care in a safe, culturally responsive and personalised manner.
    This will reduce the crowds going to ED and provide more timely care.
    GPs are the best trained, most cost effective medical practitioners to reduce overall burden of disease in the community.

  • Posted by mdsnz November 18, 2022 at 12:40

    A third medical school with a 4-year MD programme to transition other healthcare professionals into primary care is urgently required to address NZ's woeful GP shortage. Additionally, a 4-year MD programme would place us in line with Australian medical schools which are currently transitioning, or have transitioned, to 4 year post graduate medical training.

  • Posted by GayleR November 18, 2022 at 21:20

    How about creating a program where Nursing, Allied Health Scientific and Technical Midwifery can train to be GPs and have their prior experience and education cross credited? This would increase GP numbers and support better career pathways to help retain health workforce

  • Posted by GayleR November 18, 2022 at 21:20

    How about creating a program where Nursing, Allied Health Scientific and Technical Midwifery can train to be GPs and have their prior experience and education cross credited? This would increase GP numbers and support better career pathways to help retain health workforce
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