A lack of accreditation in key specialities is keeping doctors from applying for jobs with the Southern District Health Board, a union representing junior doctors says.
Dunedin Hospital. Photo: RNZ
Deborah Powell from the Resident Doctors' Association said the lack of accreditation in key specialities was keeping doctors from applying for jobs with the Southern District Health Board (DHB).
"Dunedin Hospital in particular is developing quite a bad reputation amongst resident doctors.
"They've lost quite a number of accreditations over the last few years and while they have been getting them back, for first-year health surgeons and orthopedics for instance, in other instances they haven't such as ICU," she said.
Accreditation is based on factors such as staff competency, integrity of equipment, and compliance.
Photo: 123RF
Dunedin Hospital recently lost its accreditation for radiology and its intensive care unit lost its training accreditation four years ago. It is currently undergoing a rebuild.
Southern DHB spokesperson Patrick Ng said the radiology accreditation had been suspended due to three separate issues which were all being addressed.
"I think it is reasonable to be confident of achieving re-accreditation by June," he said.
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