Five years just enough for GP specialists

Media Release from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

23 February 2009

Five years just enough for GP specialists

The Government announcement of a voluntary health professional bonding scheme for hard-to-staff areas is another step towards alleviating the national shortage of GPs, says College of GPs President Dr Jonathan Fox

“The five postgraduate years this will cover is just enough for new doctors to become GP specialists,” Dr Fox said.

After passing their exams for MB ChB, doctors have two years in hospitals, before starting the General Practice Education Programme, which includes three years of one-on-one supervision, peer review, patient review and examinations.

Only then do they earn the right to be a general practitioner and practise independently.

“The voluntary bonding scheme recognises that GPs are central to a robust New Zealand health system,” said Dr Fox. “We welcome this as one more strategy towards building a strong primary care workforce, including enough GPs for all Kiwis right around the country.

“This will boost patient safety,” he said.

ENDS

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