Second Medical School Urged

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30110, 19 April 1963, Page 10

Second Medical School Urged

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, April 18.

The urgent need for a second medical school in New Zealand, probably in the area of greater Auckland, is thought to be the principal recommendation made in an interim report by the special committee which has been investigating the availability and distribution of doctors in the Dominion.

The interim report has been made to the Minister of Health (Mr McKay •. The complete report, which will have a number of other recommendations. will not be available for some months Mr McKay has declined to release the interim report or to comment until the full report is available The interim report is thought to say that the ratio of doctors to population has increased in the last decade there is a distinct possibility that it will decrease in the next 10 years To forecast the number of doctors available in future years would depend on the output from the Otago Medical School, the age structure of the profession and the number going overseas

The report notes the difficulty experienced in filling

some position, in isolated districts. There is some emphasis on the increasing demands made on the professions by the maintenance of full medical services. The committee recommends that it would be wise for New Zealand to be graduating doctors from a second medical school about 1973. If his were accepted, it would mean that graduands of that '■ear would have to start now. Thus, planning for an Auckland medical school should begin at once

The University Grants Committee believes that a second medical school is not necessary but is prepared to reconsider the matter when the report of the special committee becomes available

Members of the special committee are Mr W J. Kemp 'Wellington, chairman), Sir Charles Burns (Wellington) Drs W P Gordon (Taranaki). L. H. Cordery (Christchurch), W J P. Hutchison (Petonei. Mr R S. V Simpson (Wellington!, A. W S Thompson (Director □f Clinical Services, Health Department). Mr A. R F. Rankin (Health Departmetv', and the dean of the Otago Medical Schoo) (Profewor E. G Sayers)