Rule change a relief for GPs

The axing of an immigration rule requiring foreign healthcare workers to start their jobs by March 31 is welcome news to rural doctors.

On Saturday, Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi said a border exemption for critical health workers to enter New Zealand would stay in place indefinitely. The exemption was introduced after the borders were closed early last year, and allowed health and disability workers to apply to enter the country provided they would begin work by March 31.

‘‘We have now decided to lift the expiry date,’’ Faafoi said. As of March 9, Immigration New Zealand had received applications for an exemption under the ‘‘critical health worker’’ category from 6880 people.

Of those, 4501 had been approved, 2262 were declined and 117 are yet to be considered.

About 40 per cent of general practitioners completed their training overseas. Rural areas are particularly dependent on international doctors and about a third of rural practices have long-term vacancies, according to the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network.

Wait times for appointments can be up to three weeks long at some practices and GPs have warned a reduction in the quality of care is unavoidable unless a solution to the staffing problem is found.

The Duchess of Sussex has written to Buckingham Palace to request evidence in relation to bullying allegations against her. The palace has instructed a law firm to handle the inquiry into the claims. The Times reported earlier this month that the duchess faced a bullying complaint from one of her closest advisers during her time at Kensington Palace. The complaint was made in October 2018 and claims that she drove two personal assistants out of the household and was undermining the confidence of a third member of staff. The duchess denies the allegations.