Doctors lured toTaranaki by lifestyle

Taranaki's reputation for lifestyle and a good hospital has lured a record number of young doctors to work in the region.

The Taranaki District Health Board has recruited a record 12 new resident medical officers.

The first year house surgeons started this week with two extra than in the usual intake.

All of the new RMOs chose to move to Taranaki and work in the region.

New Taranaki addition, James Wilkins, from Dunedin, says he wants to stay in New Plymouth at least 18 months.

The 23-year-old says he chose the region because he had heard great things about the hospital facilities as well as New Plymouth. "I was pretty keen to check out the North Island and I have good friends here.

"A lot of my friends from Otago University were coming up here to work and I wanted to continue working with that good crew," Dr Wilkins said.

Hospital and specialist services general manager Joy Farley said the new group of RMOs were a welcome addition to the hospital team.

"We are pleased to be able to take on this large group of junior doctors," she said.

"They are our future and we are delighted that they have chosen Taranaki DHB as their place of work."

She said taking on an extra two RMOs would overcome occasional staff shortages.

Dr Wilkins' colleague Felicity Williams, who is originally from Hawera, came back to the region for the lifestyle as well as family connections.

"It's a great place," the 24-year-old said.

"A lot of us did placement training at Taranaki and found it really supportive and a great crowd to work with," Dr Williams said.

The young doctors have completed their six-year training at university, including some practical placements, and are in Taranaki for at least a year.

Within the year they are required to complete a mix of work areas towards their general registration with the medical council and from there, choose what career path they take.

- © Fairfax NZ News