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AMA brokers better terms and conditions for general practice trainees

AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that the AMA has successfully brokered greatly improved terms and conditions for GP registrars.

Dr Phelps said agreement has been reached between GP registrars and supervisors on new national minimum terms and conditions of employment.

The agreement follows AMA redrafting and updating of the year 2000 terms and conditions and an extensive consultation process between the AMA, training consortia, registrars and supervisors.

There will be catch-up pay increases of 11 per cent, clarification of on-call and rostering arrangements, and moves towards a registrar safety and security clause. The new agreement comes into effect on 1 March 2003.

The new minimum salaries are $56,232 per annum for basic training terms, and $70,889 for advanced terms - or 45% of gross billings, whichever is the greater.

The agreement is being circulated to all consortia. GPET is being requested to include the agreement in funding contracts with consortia who in turn would require training practices to apply the conditions as a minimum. This will mean that the new agreement must be in place before any consortia can receive funds for GP training.

Dr Phelps said the AMA's strong membership among GPs and young doctors was a key to the Association's success in brokering the new arrangements.

"This new agreement sets a floor of minimum employment conditions and provides a fair basis for registrars and their supervisors to negotiate local arrangements," Dr Phelps said.

"It is a tough time for doctors and even tougher for those starting out in a medical career.

"We have seen the regionalisation of GP training, the emergence of over 20 different training consortia, the creation of separate rural and urban training streams, the general fragmentation of GP training, and a tragic decline in the attractiveness of our profession among the brightest and best students.

"I hope this new agreement helps to put some gloss back on our wonderful profession," Dr Phelps said.

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

                 Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

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