Media Release

Embargoed until 1am Wednesday 18 May 2005

HWAC Review of the Medical Workforce

Major changes are required in the way in which medical education is organised and delivered in New Zealand.

That’s one of the key findings of 'Fit for purpose and for practice: a review of the medical workforce in New Zealand' – a consultation document released today by the Health Workforce Advisory Committee (HWAC).

The review was carried out by HWAC's specialist Medical Reference Group (MRG).

It looks at the current workforce and considers the likely impacts of a wide range of issues on the workforce of the future. These issues include demographic change, medical workforce characteristics, changing concepts of professionalism, the global medical labour market, and issues in training, development, recruitment and retention.

Dr George Salmond who is the chairman of the Medical Reference Group says, "While New Zealand is a world leader in many health strategies such as primary health care, its health workforce development has not kept pace with the changing demands for doctors both in New Zealand and overseas."

"The issues identified are complex. There are no quick or easy answers. Action is required on a broad front. Leadership and concerted action are identified in the document as pivotal to developing a workforce which meets the demands of a rapidly changing health system. A well organised, concerted and sustained effort is required."

The consultation document identifies immediate priorities for consultation and early action.

These include:

• Strengthening and increasing the primary health care workforce, particularly in general practice.
• Change and innovation in the structure and process of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.
• Innovative approaches to balance service commitments and training requirements and improve inter-disciplinary communication, team work and patient care.
• Well-structured, ongoing vocational guidance and mentoring for medical students and recent graduates.
• Better informed and organised support for vocational decision-making and early career development.
• Clear strategies, policies and well-designed and publicised incentive schemes for the recruitment and retention of doctors in areas of special need.
• Better gathering, analysis and reporting of workforce information.
• A systemic, sector-wide approach that links health sector strategies and workforce development.
• Leadership at all levels across the health system to drive service and workforce redesign and development.

"A lot of the issues facing New Zealand's medical workforce such as the impact of the ageing population and the increased demand for doctors and other health professionals are also faced by other western countries - the challenge is how we address these in both the short and longer term" said Dr Salmond.

Submissions on the consultation document are being sought from a range of professional bodies and organisations in the health sector, as well as individual practitioners, and members of the public.

Copies of the consultation document may be accessed at www.hwac.govt.nz, submissions close on 29 July 2005.
Hard copies of the document will be available from Friday 20 May 2005.



Background information

1.What is the Health Workforce Advisory Committee and what does it do ?

HWAC was established in 2001 to provide strategic advice to the Minister of Health on the health and disability workforce.


2.What does the Medical Reference Group (MRG) do?

MRG is a specialist reference group set up in 2003 to provide independent policy advice to the Health Workforce Advisory Committee on medical practitioner supply and demand, and on the education and deployment of doctors.


3.What is the purpose of this review of the medical workforce?

The purpose of this review is to identify key medical workforce issues in New Zealand, encourage a greater understanding of these issues, and to develop a commitment to an agreed national health Workforce planning strategy.


4.What happens to the information received from submissions?

Submissions received on the consultation document will be used to develop recommendations. The consultation document and recommendations will be sent to the Minister of Health.


5.What are the key findings?

1. Medical Workforce development must be placed in the wider context of the health service and health Workforce development
2. Traditional models of care and patterns of medical work must change through effective service and workforce redesign
3. major changes are required to the way in which medical education is organised and delivered in New Zealand


6.Why doesn't the review outline any possible solutions to the workforce issues identified?

This is a consultation document, designed to outline key issues and encourage submissions from stakeholders in health and medical workforce development. Possible solutions and recommendations will be presented to the Minister of Health at the end of the submission process.

More questions and answers about the numbers and types of doctors in New Zealand