Shortage Of Doctors

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 10

Shortage Of Doctors

The Government’s offer of overseas study grants to young doctors who are prepared first to work for four years in hospitals is a belated result of inquiries two years ago into the serious shortage of house surgeons. According to the Minister of Health (Mr McKay), salary increases recommended after the 1960 investigation have been ineffectual. The supply of house surgeons is causing concern also in the United States, Canada, and Britain; and New Zealand’s failure to recruit more hospital doctors overseas is not surprising. Official forecasts of

continuing difficulties till 1970 or even 1975 seem likely to prove correct. Because of the attractions of private practice under the social security system, institutional and public health services are worst affected by the general shortage of qualified men. The Minister’s announcement on bonded bursaries indicates the shortcomings of this scheme; and the only real solution of current problems remains the expansion of New Zealand’s medical training facilities, irrespective of the possible effect on average professional incomes.