University Of Auckland Statement On Third Medical School

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland says the government's decision to proceed with a third medical school, at the University of Waikato, is a positive signal for medical education in New Zealand.

Professor Warwick Bagg, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, says there’s a medical workforce shortage that needs addressing.

“One hundred and twenty additional doctors will in time contribute to addressing the workforce shortage. 

“They will add to the 360-plus University of Auckland graduate doctors each year.

“The University of Auckland currently has 170 medical students at Waikato Hospital and in general practices in the region. It will continue to support colleagues and students on clinical placements throughout the upper North Island networks and will continue to run its training programme there.” 

He said the University is working collaboratively with Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand and primary care to try to increase capacity for clinical placement supervision for medical students, which is a critical factor in their training.

Professor Bagg said it was pleasing that the government had earlier in the year announced additional funding for more doctors, as well as increasing the number of training places for nurse practitioners specialising in primary care.

© Scoop Media