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A plan to train would-be rural doctors at home in their local area is being mooted as a way to address the rural health crisis.
The Rural Health Network - Hauora Taiwhenua is proposing a pilot scheme which would see local medical students receive the bulk of their training using distance learning, with block courses at main hospitals.
It's hoped the programme would encourage Māori enrolment and also result in lower costs for students and ensure whānau support throughout study.
The Rural Health Network hopes establishing an additional 50 medical school placements for the scheme will increase the likelihood of graduates practicing as rural GPs.
Susie speaks with Grant Davidson, the chief executive of Hauora Taiwhenua, the Rural Health Network and Dr Bryan Betty, the medical director of the Royal College of GPs.
