Standoff Threatens To Throw Doctors On The Scrap Heap
AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said this evening that the ongoing refusal by the States and Territories to help fund medical intern places threatens to send significant numbers of our future doctors to the scrap heap.
“No intern place, no medical career – it’s as simple as that,” Dr Hambleton said.
“At a time when many Australian communities are crying out for locally-trained doctors, it is unbelievable that a number of our State and Territory Governments are refusing to contribute to the full training of the next generation of Australian doctors.
“If allowed to complete their training, these doctors will work in public hospitals or private practice in communities in all States and Territories, some in areas of high need.
“It is disgraceful that a funding blame game could threaten the careers of these young doctors and deny needy people the quality health care they deserve.
“Medical training is a shared responsibility of all our governments.
“The Commonwealth has acted in good faith to find funding for 100 of the remaining 182 places needed to ensure all our graduates can complete their training.
“It is now up to the States to come good on their side of the bargain. We are talking about a few million dollars per State – a small price to pay for a huge dividend to people in need of quality medical services.
“Producing a medical workforce to meet the health needs of the Australian people, wherever they may live, must be a top priority for all levels of government.
“The States must do the right thing – chip in and finalise the agreement with the Commonwealth immediately.
“The AMA welcomes the Commonwealth’s intention to proceed with one-off funding for 100 intern places in private hospitals in 2013.
“We would like to see a long-term national solution so we can get as many of these Australian-trained doctors into the system as possible,” Dr Hambleton said.