63921 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

63921 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has he read the recently released PwC report, Medical Education in New Zealand: Current State and Consideration of Future Options, which demonstrates that both Otago and Auckland Universities have the capacity to train hundreds more doctors, if so, how does he reconcile that with his pursuit of a third medical school at Waikato University?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: Yes, I have read the PwC report on medical education in New Zealand. It highlights that both Otago and Auckland Universities have the capacity to train more doctors. However, the report was not a cost-benefit analysis, nor did it include financial information. The Ministry of Health contracted an independent provider to undertake a cost-benefit analysis for the proposal for the new medical school. I am advised that the cost-benefit analysis drew on the PwC report and also information provided by the Universities of Auckland, Otago and Waikato to consider broader factors, including long-term healthcare sustainability, and assesses costed options which go beyond the scope of the PwC report.