Mayors support medical school

Two more Waikato mayors are backing the proposal for a Waikato medical school, saying it will be a game-changer for smaller Waikato towns.

Otorohanga District Council Mayor Max Baxter said in terms of regional economic development, the medical school proposal was a no-brainer.

He said the way Otago and Auckland medical schools train doctors has left rural communities in the lurch and this is a chance to do something about it.

He wants the Labour Government to get behind it for the sake of regional New Zealand.

‘‘This Government says they’re all about regional economic development, so let’s see what they can do. Anyone who lifts their head out of the sand knows how challenging it is for smaller towns to get GPs and what the knock-on effects of that are, both socially and economically.’’

South Waikato District Council Mayor Jenny Shattock mirrored Baxter’s views, saying the South Waikato struggles to attract longterm GPs. She said local doctors were already over-stretched and their books were full.

‘‘To have a medical school in the Waikato that has rural health needs as its primary focus will be of huge benefit to the South Waikato and rural communities.’’

Hamilton Mayor Andrew King said the initiative would take the pressure off Hamilton-based hospital services, which are buckling under growing regional demand. He said all community leaders he spoke to support the medical school proposal.

‘‘Yes, there would be benefits to the city, but I think the greatest benefit will be in the wider social and economic health of our region.’’ The rural medical school proposal is a joint initiative by Waikato University and the Waikato District Health Board.

In April last year, the Waikato Mayoral Forum, which includes all the region’s mayors and regional council chairpeople, resolved to unanimously support the proposal, asking the Government to approve it ‘‘with urgency’’.