Health

There are a wide range of occupational areas within the health sector, with the most common being medical practice, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Health professionals are found in private practice, hospitals, nursing homes, community health centres and other public and private organisations. Demand for health services professionals is growing due to population changes, an increase in diet and age-related health issues, and New Zealand graduates taking their expertise overseas. There is also demand for Maori and Pacific health professionals to provide services to particular sectors of the community.

Most health care in New Zealand is conducted in the mainstream public health system. However, increasingly many people also use services provided by those working in the allied or complementary health fields.

The level of education required in the professional health services industry varies with different occupations. For many professions, graduates must gain registration with a relevant board before being permitted to practice. For example, physiotherapists must register with the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board. In some cases a year at least of clinical practice is required before registration is possible. Entry into some specialised fields requires postgraduate study and further examinations or registration processes.

Outlook

There is a shortage of medical practitioners, specialists, nurses and other health professionals throughout New Zealand. Approximately 1,200 nurses graduated from undergraduate programs in 2007, but there is still a lack of young people entering training and an estimated shortage of 2000 nurses. There is a shortage of every kind of doctor in New Zealand and job opportunities are greater than ever before. A report by the Clinical Training Agency in February 2005, found that New Zealand has almost 300 specialists fewer than recommended by international standards. Specialist fields with major shortages include psychiatry, emergency medicine specialists; anaesthetists; radiation oncologists and therapists and rehabilitation specialists.

The health status of New Zealanders has a major influence on demand for doctors. The ageing population is putting growing pressure on the health system. The increase in age-related disabilities, mental illness, diabetes, and some cancers and infectious diseases have all contributed to the increasing demand for medical services.

Industry at a glance:

  • 93% of registered nurses are female
  • 33% of medical workforce are specialists
  • 197,000 employed in health and community sectors (2007)
  • 2.5% of medical practitioners are Maori.

*Except where indicated, information and statistics for this profile drawn from the following sources: www.careers.govt.nz; Statistics New Zealand; Nursing Council of New Zealand; www.nzhis.govt.nz; and Medical Council -- NZ Medical Workforce Survey.