Bay of Plenty patients are reaping the rewards of having more doctors and nurses at their bedside, according to Minister of Health and Bay MP Tony Ryall.

As of March 31, 2014 there were 304 doctors and 983 nurses employed by Bay of Plenty District Health Board - over 60 more doctors and 130 more nurses compared to 2008. This included 38 more senior doctors, 29 more senior nurses and 10 more midwives.

Mr Ryall said for the first time there were more than 7500 doctors and over 21000 nurses working in public hospitals across the country.

"The significant increase in doctors and nurses, along with an average increase of around $500million a year in health spending, has delivered a very big increase in services for patients over the past five years" said Mr Ryall.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

A copy of the latest workforce report is available on the Ministry of Health's website.