The Royal Australasian College of Physicians looks forward to working with the incoming health minister to address significant issues for the healthcare system across Aotearoa New Zealand.
RACP Aotearoa New Zealand President Dr Stephen Inns says “College acknowledges the enormous strain the healthcare system is under, particularly regarding severe workforce shortages. Figures released by the College prior to the election revealed New Zealand has fewer specialists per head of population than Australia, while only 0.6% of physicians work in rural areas.
“The RACP is pleased that the incoming government has promised to invest in a third medical school, increasing the number of medical graduates in our health system. This is a welcome first step towards addressing chronic healthcare workforce shortages.”
A renewed commitment to a comprehensive, integrated pipeline approach to recruiting students into medical and healthcare career pathways, especially for Māori and Pasifika students.
To improve health equity for Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand
To ensure health resources are prioritised according to equity and need, delivered by a culturally safe and pro-equity health system.
Work with the College and other health agencies to ensure an environmentally sustainable healthcare that can thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change.
“The RACP will work with the Government to implement these priorities and more to ensure our healthcare is equitable for all New Zealanders.
“The RACP would also like to take this opportunity to urge the government to retain Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority. The RACP has supported the creation of an independent Māori Health Authority as a step towards transformative change in our health system since it was first proposed in 2020.
“We recognise our shared responsibility to close the gap in health outcomes for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand and strongly support a by Māori for Māori approach at every level in healthcare. A commitment to Te Tiriti principles of tino rangatiratanga, active protection, partnership, options and equity in health care has been long overdue, and Te Aka Whai Ora is an opportunity for this to occur.”
About the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP):
The RACP trains, educates and advocates on behalf of over 20,000 physicians and 9,000 trainee physicians, across Australia and New Zealand. The College represents a broad range of medical specialties including general medicine, paediatrics and child health, cardiology, respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, neurology, oncology, public health medicine, occupational and environmental medicine, palliative medicine, sexual health medicine, rehabilitation medicine, geriatric medicine, and addiction medicine. Beyond the drive for medical excellence, the RACP is committed to developing health and social policies which bring vital improvements to the wellbeing of patient. The College offers 61 training pathways. These lead to the award of one of seven qualifications that align with 45 specialist titles recognised by the Medical Board of Australia or allow for registration in nine vocational scopes with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
