New Zealand is accelerating the registration process for overseas doctors to tackle its persistent doctor shortage, according to Xinhua News Agency.
This initiative forms part of a broader plan to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.
“While we work to build our own, home-grown health workforce, internationally qualified specialists continue to have a critical role in providing quality health services for New Zealanders,” Health Minister Shane Reti stated on Tuesday.
The Medical Council confirmed that the streamlined registration applies to specialists in fields such as anaesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, internal medicine, pathology, and psychiatry.
Starting November 1, medical graduates from Britain, Ireland, and Australia can expect their registration applications to be processed within 20 working days, a significant reduction from the previous six-month timeline.
To address the shortage further, the government is also considering establishing a third medical school, complementing the existing Auckland and Otago institutions, according to china.org.
The agency reported that the government stated would increase the number of locally trained doctors.
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In another report, NZ Doctor stated that eligible doctors with approved specialist qualifications can now have their applications processed very quickly (within 20 working days), allowing them to start work in Aotearoa New Zealand much sooner.
This fast-track registration reflects our commitment to addressing the urgent need for more doctors while upholding Aotearoa New Zealand’s high standards of care.
Doctors eligible for this registration will have their applications assessed against a set of core requirements without needing advice from the specialist medical colleges.
This allows us to speed up approvals while allowing colleges to focus on more complex cases that require their expertise, NZ Doctor reported.
“Our goal is to protect public health and safety while supporting the healthcare workforce in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
“This fast-track registration provides a faster route for qualified specialists to join our medical workforce while maintaining the high standards that New Zealanders expect,” says Dr Rachelle Love, Chair, Medical Council New Zealand.
