We were interested to learn recently that the Medical Council of New Zealand is taking steps to ensure that international medical graduates arriving in New Zealand receive improved on-the-job support to help them settle into the New Zealand health care system.
The Medical Council will be recognizing services that have quality systems in place to ensure locum tenens and other international medical graduates are well supported and supervised when they begin medical practice in New Zealand. Services that meet these standards will be dubbed approved practice settings (APS).
In a recent press release from the council, Chairperson Dr. John Adams said, “The bottom line is that the APS is designed to ensure patient health and safety, whilst at the same time offer IMGs structured support and guidance when beginning medical practice in New Zealand.”
“We believe the APS offers IMGs who are new to New Zealand improved support from their colleagues and senior doctors,” Dr. Adams continued. “It will encourage a team approach to supervision, and will encourage greater collaboration across District Health Boards, with recognition of services that span more than one site and regional models of service delivery.”
We applaud this additional step in making New Zealand a welcoming, rewarding locum tenens destination. Add this to the welcoming colleagues from around the world, the sustainable pace of life, and the warm, appreciative patients, and New Zealand becomes an even more attractive location for your next great locum tenens adventure.
