Health Minister Andrew Little has outlined a plan to boost health workers amid intense pressure on New Zealand's health sector.
"The pressures healthcare workers are under as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the worst flu season in living memory and historic under-valuing and under-resourcing have been extreme over the past few weeks," Little said in an announcement on Monday.
"The current health workforce shortages have been decades in the making, but have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Today's package of measures removes actual cost barrier to migrants entering the health workforce while also ensuring we are training enough people locally in the long-term."
The changes to help ease the burdens the sector faces include:
- Easing the process for overseas nurses and provision of up to $10,000 in financial support for international nurses for NZ registration costs
- Provide for the costs of reregistration for New Zealand nurses who want to return to work
- Covering international doctors' salaries during their six-week clinical induction courses and three-month training internships
- Co-ordinated and enhanced national and international healthcare recruitment campaign
- Training more doctors, nurses and radiographers
- Dedicated immigration support services to make it easier for health workers to move to New Zealand
Last month the Government announced the health system will completely change from having 20 District Health Boards to one centralised national organisation called Health NZ.
"One month on, I'm pleased to outline the immediate steps that are being taken, including practical initiatives to fill vacancies and ease pressure as quickly as possible, as well as proposals for a more long-term fix," Little said
The Government's health workforce plan will also have a strong emphasis on getting more Māori and Pacific health workers into jobs.
"New Zealand's response to the pandemic has shown how important it is to have a wide range of people and roles in the health and disability sector, such as whānau ora workers, kaimahi and support workers," Little said.
The Government has also acknowledged the need for the improvement in Māori health by establishing the Māori Health Authority and making sure Māori are supported.
"Te Aka Whai Ora - the Māori Health Authority has a specific role to grow and support the Māori healthcare workforce and to ensure Māori providers and the communities they serve are supported through these challenging winter months."
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