SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19364, 18 September 1934, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. COUNTRY DISTRICTS SUFFER. 'CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The scarcity of young medical practitioners in Australia was commented upon by Dr. C. F. Morkane, of 'Christchurch, who has just returned 'from a visit to the Commonwealth. Although the medical profession is overstocked in the big cities," said Dr. Morkane, "there is a marked scar■city of young doctors lo fill positions •as house surgeons. The Melbourne 'Hospital authorities report a serious 'shortage of doctors, and Sydney is experiencing die same difficulty. The ehief sufferers through this shortage are the smaller hospitals and the country districts. In the backblocks very ■great difficulty is being experienced in 'filling hospital posts."

In Australia, as elsewhere, continued Dr. Morkane, there was a tendency for young doctors to congregate in the ■cities. Rural districts thus became •depleted. The position was made more serious by the marked diminution In the number of students entering medical schols. This constituted 'a sharp contrast with New Zealand, where there was a plethora of medical students.