College to employ first year GP registrars

14 August 2012
Doctors in the first year of GP training will in future be employed by the Royal New Zealand College of GPs, following a tender process run by Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) to select an employer to replace the existing bursary arrangement.

‘Having the College as employer makes sense for registrars and the sector as a whole. Doctors in their first year of general practice training will enjoy the benefits of being in employment and of having one organisation with oversight of education and employment,’ said HWNZ executive chairman Professor Des Gorman.

The Northern Regional Training Hub (NoRTH) will provide advice and expertise on the technical aspects of medical employment during the transition period, ensuring a process that is seamless for trainees.

The College will be working closely with both NoRTH and HWNZ in the coming weeks to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place.

‘HWNZ expects a sound employment arrangement for GPEP1 registrars to be in place by December when they will begin employment. The expertise of the College, combined with the experience of NoRTH and a shared vision between the parties, provides reassurance that the system will work well for registrars,’ Professor Gorman said.

'We also believe this will provide a platform for a closer working relationship between general practice and the regional training hubs, providing opportunities for better integration across the health system, facilitating workforce planning and the development of career pathways that bridge DHBs and primary care.'

The College will continue to deliver the general practice education programme, setting and overseeing standards and managing placements and is currently recruiting for the next intake to general practice training commencing on December 10.

President of the College, Harry Pert said: ‘To help prepare for changes in the training environment, the College has spent the past year reshaping our GPEP training processes and structure so we can support a more diverse and flexible general practitioner role that is fit for the future.

‘Part of this preparation has involved creating a Training Unit to separate the standard-setting function of the College from the training function and avoid any potential conflicts of interest.’

Employment offers will be made to successful candidates from 31 August.

© Ministry of Health – Manatu Hauora, 2012