The health of New Zealand cardiology: senior medical officer workforce survey

aim: To quantify the current state of the cardiology specialist workforce in Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. methods: The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand sent a survey to all Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora cardiology departments in 2024, requesting information on specialist cardiac staff. Population information was obtained from Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. International comparisons were obtained by website search. results: Of 154 Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora–employed cardiologists, 119 (77%) were male, and 113 (73%) received cardiology training in New Zealand. Over half were aged >50, 35% >55, including 18% >60 years. Time in current position was 12±9 years and the vacancy rate was 14%. The current ratio of persons per cardiologist is 35,000. In the five districts with the highest proportion of Māori and Pacific peoples, this ratio exceeds the national average: Tairāwhiti 54,000; Counties Manukau 38,000; Lakes 61,000; Northland 52,000; Hawke’s Bay 47,000. For cities with cardiac surgery the ratio is 32,000 and without is 46,000. International ratios include: United States of America (USA) 15,000; Canada 25,000; United Kingdom (UK) 40,000 and Australia 25,000 persons per cardiologist. conclusions: Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora has an experienced but ageing cardiologist workforce, with many vacancies. Districts with higher Māori/Pacific populations have fewer cardiologists per capita than the national average of 1:35,000, which is similar to the UK, but less than the USA, Australia and Canada.