Media release

Report highlights critical shortage of training positions for medical graduates

The AMA has warned patient access to medical care could become increasingly difficult unless urgent action is taken to address a looming shortfall of training places for medical graduates.

The AMA says a report released by the nation’s Health Ministers today shows there is a desperate need for Governments to fund extra pre-vocational and specialist training places in order to keep pace with the number of graduates emerging from medical schools.

The AMA had lobbied hard for the review, Health Workforce 2025, to be undertaken, and President Dr Steve Hambleton said Governments needed to act urgently on its findings to ensure Australia’s medical workforce met the community’s future health needs.

“The report provides a compelling case for Governments to commit the extra resources needed to ensure that medical graduates have access to quality training places in the future,” Dr Hambleton said, adding that he welcomed the acknowledgement by Health Ministers of the need for coordinated action.

The AMA President said the number of medical students was growing rapidly, with more than 3700 expected to be graduating by 2014. But they need to complete pre-vocational and specialist training following graduation, and Health Workforce 2025 shows that the surge in graduate numbers will soon exceed the number of training places currently available.

According to the report, in 2016 there will be 3867 doctors who require a first year advanced specialist-training place, whereas the most recent data shows that there are currently only 2817 positions available. Even factoring some growth in these places, Health Workforce 2025 is still projecting a shortage of 451 training positions, highlighting the need for urgent action.

“Without these extra training places, thousands of junior doctors will not be able to achieve specialist qualification, and the community will not realise the full benefit of its investment in increased medical school places,” Dr Hambleton said.

He said implementing the training plan will require significant funding, planning and coordination, which can only be achieved with support at the highest level across all Governments. The AMA strongly supports crucial work to be undertaken by Health Workforce Australia in drawing up an implementation plan.

Dr Hambleton urged the Commonwealth to convene a Council of Australian Governments meeting specifically to reach agreement with the States and Territories on boosting pre-vocational and specialist medical training places in line with the Health Workforce 2025 report.

27 April 2012

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

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