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More wanting to study health By CANDICE REED Thursday, 11 January 2007 • Howick and Pakuranga Times A SHORTAGE of qualified health industry employees is set to improve as universities record an increase of applicants for health-related courses. Nurses, doctors and other skilled workers are in demand, particularly in Counties Manukau, as the health sector faces a 70 per cent shortfall in the next 10 to 15 years. More than 300 people attended a two-day conference discussing the growing shortage and ways to tackle it in Manukau last year. As the national population ages the health care sector faces a shortage of workers. The problem’s magnified in Counties Manukau where its population is expanding at an elevated rate and existing population ages. The junior doctor and nurse shortage at Middlemore Hospital highlighted the problem last year. But more people are applying for health degrees according to major universities. Applications for the University of Auckland’s bachelor of pharmacy increased by 6.6 per cent, bachelor of medicine and surgery by 23.7 per cent, bachelor of nursing up 26.1 per cent and bachelor of health sciences 14.1 per cent. At the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), total health faculty enrolments are 7160. It’s expected to rise before the start of the academic year. Popular courses include nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Manukau Institute of Technology’s (MIT) nursing degree is full for semester one and additional applicants are on a waiting list for positions becoming vacant this year. Applications for MIT’s health support assistants and new community health work and Pacific programmes have also been overwhelming. MIT head of nursing and health studies Debbie Penlington says health course enrolments have risen in recent years. “Gradually the number of graduates is increasing but the demand within the health sector is increasing at the same time,” says Ms Penlington. “This is because the nursing workforce is aging and there’s such a need for nurses and other health workers.” A national and international shortage of registered nurses is being experienced, but Ms Penlington is hopeful of turning that trend, particularly on the local front. Nurses completing degrees are encouraged to apply for local jobs. “They really are in a good position, because much of their clinical experience has been done locally,” says Ms Penlington. “Nurses now don’t just work in hospitals. There are a large number of nurses working in the community. Equally we have community health workers, which is quite a new and important role, working in the community. “We’re delighted over the last year to 18 months to have worked with the [Counties Manukau] DHB to develop this programme, which has huge benefits for the local community.” A community health work certificate gives students’ practical skills, knowledge and qualification to work alongside other professionals and was developed by MIT, the CMDHB and primary health organisations. |