Improving job satisfaction will stem doctor export

Hospital doctors and nurses need to be brought back into the running of the public health system, says National’s Health spokesman, Tony Ryall

He is commenting on a warning by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists of major staffing shortages in hospitals.

It says at least 80 specialists have been lost to jobs in Australia in the past 18 months, and that what was a trickle ‘is now assuming the proportions of a flood which threatens the viability of New Zealand’s public hospitals’.

"New Zealand can’t compete with international salaries, so to retain and recruit hospital doctors we need to be able to offer real job satisfaction,” says Mr Ryall.

"We can do that by winding back the bureaucracy that is stifling our public hospitals, and re-engaging doctors and nurses in the running of the health system.

"Right now, doctors feel marginalised by endless bureaucracy. They feel under-valued and ignored.

"After eight years, countless reports, and an extra $5 billion you would think Labour would have been preparing for these staff shortages.

"But no. The Government’s undying faith in bureaucratic reports is failing patients.

"Clinical networks, like those in New South Wales, will re-energise our hospital workforce and give them a real say in the future provision of health services.

"Lower personal taxes will also help retain and recruit staff.”

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