Bid to help rural health crisis
Marlborough students are being urged to consider a career in rural health in a bid to tackle severe staff shortages across the region. A team of tertiary students have been promoting rural health careers to high school students. They are hoping to inspire more young rural people to pursue careers as GPs, nurses, or other health practitioners as the industry faces a workforce crisis.
Part of Hauora Taiwhenua’s nationwide Rural Health Careers Programme, trainee healthcare professionals were in Blenheim on Thursday.
Relying heavily on overseas doctors to fill rural health job gaps is not sustainable long-term says Hauora Taiwhenua Chief Executive Dr Grant Davidson. “Currently, we depend heavily on overseas doctors to fill our rural workforce gaps.
“The sustainable solution, however, is to educate more doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals locally.
“We must equip and encourage them to serve in our rural regions.”
Research shows students from rural areas like Marlborough are more likely to return to their communities after graduation.
This is key to addressing the issue, Grant says.
“It will surprise no one that the workforce crisis in general practice throughout New Zealand is worsening.
“In fact, we in the rural health sector have stopped calling it a crisis and are referring to it as an emergency.”
Using the enthusiasm of tertiary students to encourage high school pupils to consider health careers is a boost for the industry.
It’s also a practical way for students to give back to the communities, sharing their real-life experiences and answering questions. Medical student Lalit Raikwar has previously taken part in the initiative.
The final year University of Otago student says encouraging and empowering rural rangatahi to take each opportunity as they come is important.
“Our rural communities are the heart of our country, but they are often ignored for the greater regions.
“There was a continuous feeling of fulfilment as you interacted with and inspired the next generation of healthcare workers.
“Above all, there was a feeling of Aroha as you were immersed into each rural community.”