As doctors (and as human beings), you know that illness or injuries don’t pick and choose. They can happen to anyone at any time. Saturday sports and gardening projects are just a few of the ways Kiwis enjoy their weekends – and they occasionally come with a few surprises. A sprained wrist from netball, over-enthusiastic tree trimming, or an unidentifiable rash, often require medical attention that’s urgent but not quite an emergency.
New Zealand was the first country to recognise Urgent Care as a dedicated branch of medicine in 2000. This pioneering approach has had a significant impact on emergency departments, easing pressure on hospitals and enabling ED staff to focus on more critical cases.
Urgent Care clinics
- Access to healthcare without an appointment
- Open regular and after hours
- Your go-to for immediate but non-critical issues
- Shorter wait times than in emergency departments
- X-rays, fracture clinics, complex wound management
- Nurse triage
Urgent Care medicine for international doctors
Urgent Care offers a unique blend of challenge, flexibility, and fulfilment. If you thrive in acute settings but are looking for less intense rosters than an ED, Urgent Care could be the right path for you. It’s got the fast-paced environment of emergency medicine and the chance for greater work-life balance – often a priority for doctors moving to New Zealand.
- Flexibility
- Work across different clinics
- Pick up extra shifts or stick to a regular schedule
Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
General Practitioners registered with MCNZ can work in both General Practice and Urgent Care settings. However, doctors who hold registration specifically in Urgent Care are not automatically qualified to work as GPs. This reflects the different scopes of practice and training requirements for each field in New Zealand, as General Practice involves a broader range of patient care and continuity over time. So, if you’re a GP looking to branch out into Urgent Care, your registration offers you that flexibility, giving you even more variety in your career.
Urgent Care Fellowship training
The Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care (RNZCUC) offers a specialist training program for qualified doctors. It prepares practitioners for the unique demands of the field, from handling minor fractures to identifying conditions that require escalation to ED.
To work as an Urgent Care doctor in New Zealand, you’ll need to register with the MCNZ and ensure your qualifications align with their requirements. These will vary depending on the registration pathway that you pursue. Good Together have seen a recent surge in interest from PGY2 doctors from the United Kingdom. They’re attracted to the sustainable lifestyle and high impact, fast paced work that Urgent Care medicine can offer.
Many international doctors find the transition straightforward, especially with support from an agency like Good Together. We can guide you through the process of visa applications and settling into the New Zealand healthcare system.
