DOCTORS ARE SCARCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 792, 12 October 1929, Page 10

DOCTORS ARE SCARCE

LACK OF HOUSE SURGEONS FOR HOSPITALS PECULIAR POSITION Press Asspc(a£io» WELLINGTON, Friday. “Probably never in the history of New Zealand has there been such an eager demand for house surgeons on the part of the hospitals throughout the Dominion as there is at present,” said Mr. C. C. M. Luke, chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board, today. The Wellington board had already put in its claim for three or four house surgeons to the Otago University authorities at Dunedin. There were always a number of young men who concluded their course at the end of each year, but until they got their degree they were not available for appointment to a hospital. If a good many students got through at the end of the year it would be good news to every hospital, as Wellington was by no means the worst off in the country - “All we can do,” said Mr. Luke, “is to put in our application for as many house surgeons as we want and hope for the best. However, Xdo not think this shortage will occur again. It was caused years ago by Parliament deciding to extend the course for another year. That has thrown everything out and this is the year the hospitals are being made to feel the pinch. But hereafter the thing will adjust itself. At least, we are hoping It will. It just goes to show that the supply and demand for doctors in this country is pretty well balanced.”