It is no secret that there is a global healthcare worker shortage. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated pre-pandemic that there would be a shortage of 18 million healthcare workers by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem, with an estimated 80,000 to 180,000 healthcare worker deaths globally.
New Zealand is not immune to this crisis. Our population is growing and ageing, meaning there is an increasing demand for healthcare services. At the same time, we are struggling to attract and retain enough healthcare workers to meet this demand. This is having a serious impact on the quality of care that New Zealanders can expect to receive.
The New Zealand government has acknowledged the seriousness of the healthcare workforce crisis and is taking steps to address it. In 2019, they announced a $1.45 billion investment to grow the healthcare workforce. This includes initiatives to attract more people into healthcare careers and to support existing healthcare workers to stay in the profession.
However, more needs to be done. The current investment is insufficient to meet the growing demand for healthcare services. We also need to do more to support our existing healthcare workforce. This includes ensuring that they have the resources and conditions they need to do their jobs well and that they are properly recognized and rewarded for their vital work.
If we want to maintain a high standard of healthcare in New Zealand, we need to address the healthcare workforce crisis urgently. This means investing significantly in our healthcare workforce and supporting them to stay in the profession. Only then will we be able to provide the quality of care that New Zealanders deserve.
Shortage of Migrant Talent in the Health Care Sector
One of the key issues facing the New Zealand health care sector is a lack of migrant talent. This is particularly acute in nursing, with an estimated global shortage of nine million nurses.
New Zealand has traditionally relied on overseas-trained nurses to help fill this gap, but this has become increasingly difficult in recent years. The global pandemic has made it even harder, with travel restrictions making it difficult for nurses to come to New Zealand.
This shortage of migrant talent is a serious problem for the health care sector. It means that fewer nurses are available to provide care, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. It also puts additional pressure on existing nurses, who may be required to work longer hours or take on extra shifts.
The New Zealand government is aware of this issue and is working to address it. In 2019, they introduced a new visa category for overseas-trained nurses. This has made it easier for nurses to come to New Zealand and work in the health care sector.
Recently a lot of impetus has been put on hiring migrant health care professionals, and these job profiles comprise a major chunk of the Green list.
How can Licensed Immigration Advisers like NZ Migration Help Remedy the Situation?
Licensed immigration advisers can play a vital role in helping to address the health care workforce crisis. By providing advice and assistance to overseas-trained nurses, they can help make it easier for them to come to New Zealand and work in the health care sector. This will help increase the number of nurses available to provide care, which can positively impact patient outcomes.
If you are an overseas-trained nurse looking to migrate to New Zealand, we can help. We are a team of licensed immigration advisers who specialize in assisting nurses with their visa applications. We can provide advice and assistance throughout the process, from start to finish. Contact us today to find out more. NZ Migration Help’s immigration assistance is not limited to nursing job profiles; we cater to the entire health care profiles that are listed on the green list.