General Practitioners Aotearoa has expressed support for nurses facing a reduction in training spots.
Last week, the Government’s Tertiary Education Commission sent a letter to nursing schools telling them to reduce training numbers.
GPA spokesperson Dr Buzz Burrell says the situation is an act of hostility toward nurses and the healthcare system.
“Quite clearly we are in a time where we need more healthcare workers, not fewer,” he says.
“The Government should be increasing funding to the health sector, not draining the workforce to match the current dismal funding.”
Burrell says this is a symptom of the Government’s short-term focus and lack of planning.
“We have this completely bizarre situation where they are reducing local training positions while simultaneously registered nurses are on the green list for immigration.”
Green listed professions are jobs the Government says we need people for in New Zealand, which can apply for a straight-to-residence visa.
“The left hand doesn’t know whether the right hand is waving around a knife or a spoon,” Burrell says.
He says general practice is facing a similar situation.
“I have a lot of sympathy for our nursing colleagues, because our own workforce pipeline at the moment is absolutely farcical.
“Everyone knows there aren’t enough GPs in the country, yet the Government seems dead-set on any disastrous plan that allows them to shirk responsibility and avoid replenishing GP numbers.”
