New Zealand’s hunt for overseas doctors amps up today - but will it be enough?

2024-10-31

New Zealand’s hunt to poach overseas doctors gets another tool in the toolbox today. From now, medical graduates from the UK, Ireland and Australia will be able to have their applications for registration assessed within 20 working days. It’ll speed up a process that would usually take six months – and the government hopes it’ll fill critical gaps in our health workforce. But, unions on the ground doubt the impact of this fast-track pathway – saying it’s welcome, but not sure that it's going to mak...

New Zealand’s hunt to poach overseas doctors gets another tool in the toolbox today.

From now, medical graduates from the UK, Ireland and Australia will be able to have their applications for registration assessed within 20 working days.

It’ll speed up a process that would usually take six months – and the government hopes it’ll fill critical gaps in our health workforce.

But, unions on the ground doubt the impact of this fast-track pathway – saying it’s welcome, but not sure that it's going to make a difference.

Today on The Front Page, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton is with us to discuss.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

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