April 27, 2023

Health authorities tackle workforce gaps

Peter Verschaffelt Posted On April 27, 2023

A spokesperson for the Health Ministry says Aotearoa has to deal with both national and international pressures on the health workforce.

Staff shortages are affecting hospitals and primary healthcare throughout the country, and many staff have also indicated interest in working overseas.

John Whaanga, the ministry’s deputy director general Maori, says while other countries are targeting our health professionals, New Zealand is also trying to recruit offshore,

A planned appoach to the whole workforce is essential.

“We need to make sure it’s sustainable. We need to make sure it’s skilled and well supported. When there are things like this where parts of the country come under pressure, one of the opportunities for Te Whatu Ora as a national organisation is to be able to look at how it can shift resources around the country to help with some of this,” Mr Whaanga says.

He says getting more Maori in health is a priority, but there is no short term fix, with workforce plans affected by things like the subjects ranagatahi choose in secondary school.