The Minister of Health says all 377 New Zealand medical graduates have found jobs in the public health service this year.
Tony Ryall. Photo: NATIONAL PARTY
Tony Ryall told senior doctors at their annual conference in Wellington on Thursday that is largely down to the willingness of provincial hospitals to find more places for newly graduating doctors.
However, Mr Ryall told doctors finding placements will become more difficult over the next five years as the number of medical students graduating increases to 410 next year and 442 in 2015.
"So we have been expecting this wave of new medical graduates and we are planning for that now. However, this will mean goodwill on all sides of our public hospitals and our specialist doctors who teach these new graduates to gear up to accommodate these extra numbers."
Mr Ryall also told 110 senior doctors at the conference that a further boost in medical training places is likely in the next Budget.
