Medical school 3

Profit motive in universities and jealousy (driven by hubris) of other institutions’ performance and status, are symptomatic of the free-market laissezfaire approach to funding, course marketing, and recruitment of students and staff alike. Auckland and Otago University medical schools have been churning out graduates who are generally not interested in becoming rural GPs; and they have done nothing of their own volition to address this issue. That is, until they observe Waikato University making eminently sensible provisions for a medical school that could address the problem. Waikato is a large DHB with a modern hospital which would function very well as part of a medical school. Professors and administrators at Auckland and Otago should do some deep breathing and seek counselling for their depression (if it persists) . . . Something else may be upsetting them next month.

Hamilton

plan is to provide specialist GP training in order to address the country’s large shortage of rural and small town GPs. So, kudos to the Waikato University vicechancellor and Waikato DHB chief executive for ably leading this bid that is so timely and sorely needed.

However, we understand that both Otago and Auckland medical schools are not happy and are campaigning against a proposed Waikato med school. It seems puerile for Auckland and Otago medical schools, whilst acknowledging the need for a future third medical school and for not to be beaten, to come up with their own plan to the GP crisis. It appears that these institutions are trying to stymie our bid.

We should not stand for it and I urge Hamiltonians to raise the awareness of this proposal by writing a letter to the editor of the Waikato Times so that our politicians will get the message of the national GP shortage crisis.

Hamilton