The Demand For Rural Medicine Professionals In New Zealand

By Author: Malcolm Reeves
Total Articles: 1
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According to ‘The Guardian’, a rural GP offered $400,000 (£190,000) annual income to attract a medic to the locum doctor jobs, but even after two years of hunting, the position remains unfilled.

The shortage of medical professionals for the remote hospitals and the rural medical jobs New Zealand is the biggest issue that is pertaining for many years now. There are many factors that cause this shortage, they are –

- Funding shortfalls

- Decreasing rural populations

- and the closing up of some facilities

In some places, on the other hand, the increase in population has caused pressure on the existing small practices. From the top of the North to the bottom of the South, filling New Zealand’s rural medical positions remains a constant challenge.

A study conducted by Medical Council of New Zealand workforce has mentioned about the changes in the medical ...
... workforce and the improvement in the retention rates of the medical professionals. The study reveals that a higher proportion - 44.7% of female doctors are employed in the urban areas when compared to the rural areas it is only 39.7%. Moreover, the doctors employed in the rural areas are on an average older than those working in the urban areas.

The studies further reveal that rural New Zealand is highly dependent on an overseas-trained workforce, and retention of this international workforce depends on the appropriate organisational support. The researchers were pleased to note that in 2016 many rural hospital medicine doctors were New Zealand graduates.

The discoveries of these studies were very familiar to Luke Baddington, Ochre Recruitment’s New Zealand Team Leader. Luke and his team have been acutely aware of the need to fill locum doctor jobs in New Zealand in both rural hospitals and GP practices. It is a need, he says, that has barely diminished in all his years in medical recruitment, with no sign of any short-term solution in sight.

Luke points out that one of the key factors not captured in the data is the recurring pattern of extreme staffing shortages in the winter months. New Zealand doctors or locums often temporarily relocate to work in Australia’s warmer climates, while many overseas doctors who, while based here permanently, return to the northern hemisphere over NZ’s winter months. Unfortunately, their time out of the country coincidences with an increased patient demand for services, placing already stretched hospitals and GP clinics under further stress due to a shortage of professionals needed to fill locum emergency medicine jobs.

Luke says, “Over the last few years, the winters have become increasingly difficult. The demand for quality medical professionals is high and it is no longer just rural communities who are struggling. We are now seeing small towns across New Zealand unable to fully meet their staffing requirements.” In a few locations, the medical jobs New Zealand, were partially covered with locum doctors and nurse practitioners. But, the reality is as of January 2018, about fifty small towns with populations less than 1,500, were without a community GP.

Even though collectively resources are scarce across the sector, Ochre Recruitment New Zealand continues to place locums where they are most needed. Care, attention to detail and an individually tailored approach helps ensure that the right doctor is in the right job at the right place. However, Luke says many rural locations still yearn for a permanent GP or long-term medical professional who can provide a continuity of care and become an integral part of the community they serve.

Ochre Recruitment endeavours to support both clients and doctors over winter and has already begun planning strategies for the tricky months ahead. Maybe you are thinking about a change of scene, or know a colleague or friend looking for adventure and the chance to make a difference in a rural community. If so, then now is the perfect time to talk to Ochre Recruitment about a rural placement, as well as the travel, accommodation and competitive session rates on offer.

The author works as a doctor in rural New Zealand and offers various tips on locum emergency medicine jobs. Visit https://www.ochrerecruitment.co.nz/ for more details.

Take your medical career to the next level with Ochre Recruitment. We provide GP & Specialist, Locum & Permanent Doctor positions in Australia & New Zealand. You’ll benefit from the personalised service that matches you to positions that suit your current lifestyle needs and career goals. Ochre Recruitment place doctors in remote, regional and metropolitan regions. For more visit https://www.ochrerecruitment.co.nz