Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Residency shambles for essential health staff

Residency shambles for essential health staff demands urgent response

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora is calling on the Government to urgently address residency difficulties for doctors and other desperately needed health workers.

Immigration lawyer Kamil Lakshman told RNZ today that the Work to Residence visa process for doctors and nurses should be fast-tracked, particularly given the Covid pandemic.


There has been a long pause in processing expressions of interest from skilled migrants for residency visas, with no indication of when processing will resume.

ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says it’s creating a lot of frustration and angst.

“Overseas doctors caught up in this delay say the uncertainty makes it difficult. They feel they can’t buy a house, settle their families, or put down roots, and are being forced to reconsider their futures in New Zealand”.

New Zealand relies heavily on overseas trained specialists – about 43% of the medical workforce is overseas trained – the second highest level in the OECD.

“It takes a significant amount of time, and investment by DHBs to bring a specialist here from overseas. It is a terrific waste of tax-payer funds to see them pack up and leave as a direct consequence of the failings of our immigration service,” Sarah Dalton says.

“The current approach to managing their pathway to residency is shambolic and could become a worrying contributor to our shortage of medical specialists”.

ASMS raised concerns about the residency delays in June, writing to the Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi in June.


Sarah Dalton says unfortunately there has been “zero response”.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.