North doctor training scheme proves productive

Dillon Manuirirangi, Te Whareiti Ambler, Hanson Unasa and Rob Carr with baby Arlo. Photo/NDHB

The 10th anniversary of an initiative to bring more graduating doctors to Northland has been celebrated in Whangarei.

Set up by the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and Northland District Health Board (NDHB) in 2007, the Pukawakawa programme enables fifth-year medical students to gain experience in regional and rural health.

It was the first partnership of its kind between a medical school and a health board but similar programmes have begun in Whakatane and Taranaki.

Each year 24 medical students complete the scheme. Those who are selected spend two thirds of the year at Whangarei Hospital and a third at one of Northland's four rural hospitals.

So far, 211 medical students have been through the scheme. Since 2010, Pukawakawa graduates have gone on to claim 40 per cent of available places for first-year provisional doctors (interns or house surgeons) at Whangarei Hospital.

The 10-year celebration and reunion a week ago began with a blessing and waiata - fitting with Northland having the highest Māori populations in New Zealand, along with many Maori health professionals, iwi health providers and patients.

Maori cultural immersion is a significant aspect of Pukawakawa.

Numerous couples who met as students during a Pukawakawa year were present at the reunion, some with their young children.

They included Cameron Cole, now a psychiatric registrar, and Carrie Bryers, originally from Dargaville, who works in paediatrics.

"You felt like every day was a bright, happy day," Dr Cole said of his Pukawakawa experience.

As well as working with Dr Lance O'Sullivan near Kaitaia when beginning his rural medicine study, local GPs offered the students their houses at the beach.

"I couldn't believe it."

The couple both work at Whangarei Hospital.

Other couples included Lauren de Boeck, who met partner and Hokianga native Rob Carr during the course. The two are now parents to 1-year old Arlo.

Speakers, guests and organisers at the reunion included Dr Lucille Wilkinson, Professor John Fraser from the Auckland medical school, Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid, NDHB chairwoman Sally Macauley, Dr Catherine Bremner, Professor Warwick Bagg, Pūkawakawa co-ordinators Dr Win Bennett and Caroline Strydom, and NDHB chief executive Dr Nick Chamberlain.