19772 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 11 Jun 2024

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19772 (2024)
Question asked:	27 May 2024
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Dr Shane Reti
Answer received:	05 Jun 2024
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19772_2024
Document guid:	ad424e2c-8cdf-4ade-a6db-719632dfcf89

19772 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Does the Minister intend to continue the initiative ‘International nurse and other health professional recruitment’ under ‘Priority Area 6: Addressing Workforce Pressures and Supporting Staff’ within the Winter Preparedness Plan 2023?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: Yes, I intend to continue international recruitment, which is one of the initiatives that Health New Zealand is undertaking to address workforce shortages in New Zealand. Staff shortages are a pressing challenge for our healthcare system. I am advised that alongside international recruitment, Health NZ has initiatives to grow the domestic-trained workforce and to assist former healthcare workers back to practice where possible through schemes such as Return to Nursing and Return to Midwifery.