Government follows AMA policy prescription with changes to GP training arrangements
AMA calls for greater professional control over GP training arrangements has played a significant role in the announcement last week that the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine will now administer the selection of medical graduates for their training programs.
AMA has consistently pressed this issue since its 2014 GP Training Forum, which was held in response to reforms to GP Training announced in the 2014-15 Federal Budget.
Assistant Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie made the announcement last week saying that the transfer of the selection function to the Colleges was part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to strengthen the nation’s primary care capabilities now, and into the future.
“The measure the government is announcing today will provide the GP Colleges with a greater role in the management and conduct of GP training. Our government has a great respect and confidence in both of the Colleges and this is yet another fine example of the crucial and vital health workforce reform that we will achieve in order to deliver better GPs to all Australians.”
“The transfer of this function to the GP Colleges will bring them into line with other Australian specialist medical colleges and the way these colleges select trainees for specialist training pathways and programs,” Minister Gillespie said.
