6. JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What action is the Government taking to encourage young medical professionals to work in rural areas?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
The Government has made it very clear that meeting New Zealand’s longstanding health workforce challenges is a priority. That is why we have pursued policies such as the Voluntary Bonding Scheme and tax cuts, which are important. I am pleased to inform the House that last week the Government launched a partnership with Otago and Auckland universities to train a variety of health students at the Whakatāne and Gisborne hospitals. Up to 120 positions a year will be available to students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and physiotherapy at both hospitals, with Gisborne offering dentistry as an additional option. We congratulate the universities, the district health boards, and all those involved on making this exciting initiative a reality.
This is a $4.5 million programme over 3 years. We know that if health students come from rural areas, it increases the likelihood that they will work in rural areas. But if they are trained in rural areas, it doubles the likelihood of their working in rural areas. So it is a very, very sensible policy from the National-led Government.