Media release from ASMS

Waikato Denver mission highlights financial wastage caused by specialist shortages in public hospitals

"The urgent recruitment mission to Denver by the Waikato District Health Board highlights the financial wastage caused by specialist shortages in our public hospitals," said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

"This mission is in response to serious shortages, including hospital specialists, which are costing the DHB $14 million on outsourcing (including $6.4 million on temporary locums).  It highlights an important point that is often forgotten - shortages don't save money, they cost money.  Shortages force public hospitals to use the most expensive option of employing temporary doctors."

"We are not critical of Waikato DHB which is doing what it has to do.  The stability of our public hospital specialist workforce is brittle and vulnerable.  The Waikato experience can happen at any district health board at any given time and does so."

"This financial wastage will continue until we have an effective retention and recruitment strategy for public hospital specialists that includes retaining in New Zealand more of those that we train.  It is costing the country dearly and leaving the burden on the shoulders of those who have to cover the shortages," concluded Mr Powell.