Healthcare
System in New Zealand
New Zealand has a
very well developed healthcare system and is famous for having an
extremely comprehensive healthcare system modelled on the UK
National Health Service.
The clinical
practice in New Zealand tends to be a mixture of the UK
evidence-based healthcare model and the more innovative US style
of medicine.
The major provider
of healthcare services in New Zealand is the Public Health System
but private healthcare facilities are widely available. This is a
comprehensive free-of-charge healthcare service for all New
Zealand citizens covering both hospital-based and community-based
medical services.
Those who have
experienced working in New Zealand will always compare it very
favourably to working in other countries. As a rule, New
Zealanders (both patients and staff) are very laid back and so
this creates a very informal and friendly working environment.
Due to the fact New
Zealand is sparsely populated and has a relatively large land mass
area, the role of a Family Practitioner (GP) in many parts of New
Zealand is extended beyond that performed by GPs in other parts of
the world. It is not uncommon for Family Practitioners to perform
minor operations, obstetrics and some may even provide limited
anaesthetics services too.
The actual hospitals
in New Zealand as a rule tend to be very well equipped with all
the latest technology and facilities.
With comprehensive
healthcare available to all New Zealanders, the standard of
healthcare is extremely high. Over the last ten years there has
been a large increase in the availability of protocols, clinical
guidelines, evidence based methodology and innovative research
coming out of New Zealand and now it is widely acknowledged that
the clinical practice in New Zealand is as up-to-date as anywhere
else in the western world.
Healthcare workers
such as doctors and nurses hold far greater power and authority in
New Zealand within the hospital system than is usually found in
other countries. Professional groups representing nurses and
doctors are very strong here with most of the hospital directors
and senior managerial staff being doctors and nurses themselves
and so protect the interests of healthcare workers well.
