Salisbury Health Centre has just entered an expansionary phase  and now needs at least one and  possibly two more GPs, preferably on long term contracts.  There may in time also be an opportunity to buy into the combined practice.

We are looking for experienced GPs, though graduates who have just completed their GPVTS may also be interested in taking a break for a year or two in South Pacific General Practice, or perhaps considering a more permanent move.

UK and Irish trained GPs fit in well in the NZ medical system which is based on and in some ways similar to that in the UK, but there are differences.

The average GP income in the UK is higher than that in NZ, and the current NHS contract does not require the provision of after hours services, which is still part of GP life here.

However all our UK trained GPs have noted that we have more clinical freedom here, and tend to be much more highly regarded by our patients, who are less demanding.

We are also more successful in resisting the attempts of bureaucrats and politicians to control us, and although it seems a worldwide trend for GPs to get rid of the after hours commitment, we consider there is a significant price to pay for this, and would prefer to retain our high degree of professional freedom.

The average GP income in NZ however buys a very good lifestyle, and the SHC salary will put you in the top 3% on the income ladder.

It’s difficult to put a positive spin on after hours work as none of us like getting out of bed at night, but when on night call for our 4,000 patients, it is usual to get no calls at all, sometimes one callout, very rarely two. Our patients in general are not demanding, are considerate and the vast majority of the few night calls we get are perfectly reasonable.

For Irish and UK trained GPs the Medical Registration and Immigration pathways are easy, and we have developed clear guidelines for easy navigation of the Medical Council and Immigration websites.

We provide full support throughout the whole process, including CME certification and all supervision requirements of the Medical Council of NZ during the first year.

For those wishing to stay longer, after one year of satisfactory full time work under Provisional General Registration, it is possible for suitably experienced UK GPs with the MRCGP and good references to obtain full Vocational Registration with the Medical Council of NZ without further assessment, thereby gaining all rights of independent practice in NZ, and we are willing to facilitate this.

Primary Health Care in NZ continues to undergo rapid change and GPs here are determined to drive that change, rather than be controlled by it.

We have some innovative ideas about improving the quality of care to our patients.

Those of us who have some familiarity with the NHS recognise that particularly in the field of chronic disease management and the involvement of Specialised Nursing Staff in the process,the UK is ahead of us and we would welcome new ideas.

Taking the strengths out of the two systems, while at the same time avoiding the pitfalls appeals to us.

If you are imaginative, creative and want to be part of this change, come and join us !


Many UK GPs have colleagues, friends and relatives in New Zealand, and will have already paid us a visit. For those who haven't, a few comments about the Land of the Long White Cloud:

• On the very edge of the Indo - Australian tectonic plate, New Zealand/Aotearoa is one of the most isolated countries in the world. Separated from Australia by the 2000km wide Tasman Sea, to the east across one third of the world of empty ocean, southern Chile.  But it's a well developed first world country of four million people.

• Most of the year it's warm and sunny. No tropical heat, no dangerous animals or venomous reptiles.

• Crowded cities, traffic jams ? No - wide open spaces,empty beaches, hill walking through native rainforest, mountaineering  for the more adventurous, winter skiing/snowboarding, and year round surfing. The sea fishing is excellent, the trout fishing even better.

• Language problems?  No – Kiwi English is easily understood.

• Food and Wine – our speciality: the best in the world.  From gold medal Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to rock lobster, fresh vegetables to kiwifruit, and the best fish and chips you’ll ever taste. Pick a lemon off the tree in your garden and drink wine from the local vineyards.

• Would it spoil your career prospects? No – it will enhance them. Standards in General Practice are high, and internationally recognised; continuing medical education is compulsory, and a wide range of conferences, seminars and peer review meetings are available. This sort of experience can only give you the edge in the future.

Salisubry Health is fully computerised (MedTech 32); this software is user – friendly, the most commonly used in NZ General Practice, and is popular with Locums.

The Medical Centre is modern and well equipped.

All SHC staff – Nurses, Receptionists and Medical colleagues – are very supportive of our Locum Doctors, and advice on any procedural or medical matter is always available.