A Bit Early to Break Out the Champagne, Minister

For immediate use

19 MAY 2016

A Bit Early to Break Out the Champagne, Minister

“It’s always good to have more doctors and nurses working in our public hospitals but the picture isn’t as rosy as the Government is suggesting,” says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).

He was responding to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman’s assertion that the number of senior doctors working in district health boards around the country had increased by 36% since 2008 (https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/over-6100-more-doctors-nurses-our-hospitals).

“Unfortunately for the Government, some of the gloss comes off these figures once they’re put into context,” says Mr Powell.

“While the number of senior doctors has increased, it’s nowhere near the number required both now and down the track if we want to provide good quality health care to all New Zealanders who need it.

“New Zealand has one of the lowest numbers of specialists per population in the OECD, which many would be surprised to learn. Even with the increased numbers in New Zealand, we’re still near the bottom of the pack. Most people would agree we should be on a par with Australia but if we’re to achieve that by 2021, the rate of annual increase in specialist numbers is going to have to rise significantly.

“So while the numbers are going up, they’re not going up fast enough to keep pace with the population growth and the level of health need in this country. It’s a bit like having a 36% salary increase and trying to use that to pay off a 50% increase in your debt levels. It doesn’t really work.”

Mr Powell says public hospital specialists are under increasing strain as a result of longstanding shortages and inadequate investment in public health care and the medical workforce.

“They’re experiencing high levels of presenteeism and burnout as they keep the health system running, often at great personal cost to themselves, while more and more New Zealanders are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to access the health care they need.”

Mr Powell says the Government has an opportunity with next week’s Budget to relieve some of the pressure on the health system.

ENDS

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