KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's reliance on foreign doctors is being blamed on a history of non-investment in medical training.
Of the physicians currently practicing in New Zealand, 41 per cent are overseas trained, giving the nation the highest proportion of foreign-trained doctors in the western world.
The figure has come under the spotlight after a foreign doctor in Australia has been linked to failed terrorist attacks in the UK.
The Resident Doctors Association is calling for District Health Boards to drop plans to recruit more doctors from the UK.
President of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Jeff Brown says foreign doctors' medical skills are scrutinised and they work under supervision when they arrive.
He says political and religious affiliations are not checked.
Dr Brown says the level of foreign doctors in New Zealand is a situation which has developed over a number of years.
He says the Government needs to look at how to retain the graduates New Zealand does produce, or work out a way of producing more.
Health Minister Pete Hodgson is refusing to comment on the debate.
- NEWSTALK ZB
