Patients had also suffered because of the knock-on effect of fewer appointments. In the last year permanent and short-term vacancies increased from 88 to 103 across rural GP practices, Davidson said. Meeting New Zealand medical council registration requirements, finding flights, getting a room and paying for MIQ were putting many potential recruits off.
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Ōpunake Medical Centre owner and GP Nick Loveridge-Easther, left, hasn’t been able to fill a full-time role usually held by an overseas doctor. He took up an offer by his father Graham Loveridge, right, who is a semi-retired GP from Nelson, to help fill the gap for a few weeks. The doctors are pictured with one of their patients.