Media release from HWNZ, the RNZCGP and the NZ Medical Council

Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ), the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) are to work together on a national project to change the way general practitioners are trained.

The three organisations will sign a memorandum of understanding in Wellington on May 6 that will result in implementation of a revised vocational training programme for GPs from January 2012.

The review aims to promote general practice as a career choice among medical students and junior doctors and is likely to see more cross-over of training and working between hospitals and the community.

Announcing the collaboration, Chair of Health Workforce New Zealand, Professor Des Gorman, said: 'This is a very significant undertaking - one that will lay the foundation for a sustainable general practitioner workforce for many years.  I am delighted that Health Workforce New Zealand, the College and the Council have agreed to collaborate in this work.

'By working on the strengths of the existing GP training programme, especially by linking it with the training of doctors who traditionally work in hospital settings, we expect to attract more graduates to a career in general practice.'

Co-signatories to the agreement with Professor Gorman will be Dr Harry Pert, President of the RNZCGP and Dr John Adams, Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Dr Pert said: 'New Zealand GPs already undergo extensive vocational training to prepare them for a role that is increasingly diverse and demanding. We need to continue to modernise our medical education provision to ensure it meets the needs of the profession, patients and the public.

'We must ensure that we offer attractive and rewarding careers in general practice and that the education GPs receive offers the right mix of flexibility, skills training and opportunities for personal development."

Dr Adams said: "As more and more healthcare is delivered outside of hospitals, we need to ensure GPs are equipped to deal with the challenges of the role.

'We are committed to working together and maintaining dialogue across the health system throughout the process so we develop a programme that ensures the highest standards of general practice."

The project will be led by Professor Gregor Coster, Chair of Counties Manukau DHB and member of the HWNZ board.

t will begin with a period of extensive consultation throughout the winter involving clinicians, universities, professional bodies, DHBs and primary care organisations.