During Covid it became astonishingly clear how short of doctors we were; when the waiting lists once again got the heat of public anger, when the number of students dropped away both locally and internationally because of the closed borders, when the stats around the GP's showing how many are about to retire were published, how more and more of us couldn’t get to a GP because their books are closed and where just this week we have heard yet again from GP's and the crisis they are in.
With all of that mounting up, all that clear and present danger, and the seeming mass agreement we were short of talent, why the hell haven't we been training more doctors?
Is joining dots really that complex an art?
Why the hell have we only got two medical schools?
So, an announcement within the promised first 100 days. It's some common sense, something a bit practical that looks like it's at least in part addressing a very obvious problem.
We have 300 New Zealanders a year training in Australia. Surely we can keep them at home.
We have students who graduate leaving the country. Surely we can work harder to keep some at home.
Surely we have more candidates than there are places. Surely a third school helps address that.
And so the business case will be made.
In time, I assume, they will actually get something underway with some real courses teaching real students, who will pop out and do some much-needed real doctoring in a country, like most Western countries these days, who operate a public health care system barely holding it together at best.
Good Government is about common sense, practical ideas and solid solutions.
You would not have thought a third medical school was really that difficult and yet it took until this week.
But at least the wheels, at last, actually turn.
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings - where this article was sourced.
With all of that mounting up, all that clear and present danger, and the seeming mass agreement we were short of talent, why the hell haven't we been training more doctors?
Is joining dots really that complex an art?
Why the hell have we only got two medical schools?
So, an announcement within the promised first 100 days. It's some common sense, something a bit practical that looks like it's at least in part addressing a very obvious problem.
We have 300 New Zealanders a year training in Australia. Surely we can keep them at home.
We have students who graduate leaving the country. Surely we can work harder to keep some at home.
Surely we have more candidates than there are places. Surely a third school helps address that.
And so the business case will be made.
In time, I assume, they will actually get something underway with some real courses teaching real students, who will pop out and do some much-needed real doctoring in a country, like most Western countries these days, who operate a public health care system barely holding it together at best.
Good Government is about common sense, practical ideas and solid solutions.
You would not have thought a third medical school was really that difficult and yet it took until this week.
But at least the wheels, at last, actually turn.
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings - where this article was sourced.
4 comments:
Why are Labour MPs having a meltdown about this? Could it be that Labour control Otago University through ex MPs entering into governance roles but a new medical school will be out of their reach.
A new med school full of Maori students given preferential entry on lower performance and taught the way of the tohunga? No thanks. We want and need top quality NZers being brought into the profession being trained in good quality proven medical science but also prompted to improve and develop medicine.
All the Coalition Government have to do is state unequivacably. A new Medical school will be a private charter type medical school . It has to have accomadation nearby or attached . Interns will be employed at the nearest hospital . It is required for the 2025 first semester . Entry by highest marks achieved at last school year .
Queenstown or Wanaka have the lifestyle suitable for an exciting internship. Apply Now . There must be medical schools designed somewhere in the world and the plans replicated without all the time delay and procrastination .
Give the south the nod and it will happen .
Some interesting question to ask on stated subject matter -
1/- (quote) " We have 300 New Zealanders a year training in Australia." (end quote). The question who is paying for [a]- the Tuition & [b]- accommodation costs whilst they are in Australia. IF, the students have been able to gain access to the NZ Student Fees Loans / how?
Or are they being assisted, due to lack of space at both Otago & Auckland Universities?
2/- (quote) - "We have students who graduate leaving the country". (end quote)
The question are they all Medical Students, or is the statement a " broad sweep" of those students who do leave to seek employment elsewhere. The question is how many are "actively repaying the Student Fee Loan", whilst overseas?
I recall that at one stage, of recent years, that Otago University/Medical School - was only "taking on Maori students to increase the ration of Maori Doctors". That this step was judged to be detrimental to University seeking the best & brightest achievers for the Medical school. If there is merit in the story, was it a news media story then, or was it overlooked?
It is interesting that the NZ Medical world is " suffering due to a shortage of Doctors, over work etc, etc." - a story that arises annually, yet we have Medically trained Doctors from overseas that wish to come here, but face challenges in being able do so.
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