Chris Auchinvole, MP for West Coast Tasman welcomes the continued funding for the voluntary bonding scheme in his electorate.

“This is great news for our community and will go a long way towards helping staff our region,” says Chris Auchinvole

The scheme to attract graduate doctors, nurses, and midwives to hard-to-staff areas and specialties was launched last year. It exceeded expectations with more than 890 graduates applying in the first year. 

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the scheme will be extended to South Canterbury and will also cover surgical nursing.

The scheme offers health graduates student loan debt write offs or cash incentives over three to five years.

Registrations for this year’s intake will close on Friday 30 April 2010.

The full list of hard-to-staff categories and the terms and conditions of the scheme are available on the bonding website www.moh.govt.nz/bonding