It is hoped the package will increase the number of GPs being trained in New Zealand each year from 200 to 300. (File image) Photo:
The government has revealed details of a package to get more medical graduates training to be general practitioners.
In a statement, Health Minister Andrew Little said doctors who chose to train as GPs would now be paid as much as their hospital counterparts.
Salary increases will be between 13 percent and 23 percent, depending on which year of training the junior doctor is in.
Health Minister Andrew Little. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Little cited a review, published today, which found trainee GPs being paid less than registrars working in hospitals was the biggest barrier to young doctors going into general practice.
"That pay gap will be closed, to bring the pay of first-year GP registrars in line with that of hospital registrars."
The government will also increase funding so the Royal College of GPs can pay teaching supervisors for an extra two-and-a-half hours a week, and GPs who host 12-week community training modules will be paid hosting fees of $3600.
It is hoped the package will increase the number of GPs being trained in New Zealand each year from 200 to 300.
Little said these moves combined with recruitment of overseas-trained doctors would boost the number of GPs in communities.
More than 1000 healthcare workers have applied to work in New Zealand under new immigration settings that came into effect in July.
