Audit report confirms success of targeted specialist training program

AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said today that the review confirms the important medical workforce function of the STP.

“The STP has targeted Commonwealth funding towards a range of specialties including general surgery, pathology, radiology, dermatology, obstetrics, and gynaecology,” A/Prof Owler said.

“Priority has also been given to providing training positions in rural and regional areas to help address serious specialist workforce shortages.”

ANAO analysis indicates that, on a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) basis, around 833 training positions were filled as at 30 June 2014, which represents 93 per cent of the target of 900 positions.

Reporting indicates that 800 (89 per cent) of the training positions are in ‘expanded’ (non‐traditional) settings, with 369 (41 per cent) in regional or rural areas.

The ANAO review concludes that, overall, the additional specialist trainee positions funded by the STP have boosted the availability of specialist services, including in regional and rural areas.

A/Prof Owler said that most specialist training is delivered in State and Territory hospitals, but the STP has added value by building the capacity of the medical training pipeline to train growing numbers of medical graduates and improve the overall quality of medical training.

“Under the STP, specialist trainees have the opportunity to see and treat conditions that are not common in public hospitals,” A/Prof Owler said.

“The AMA believes the ANAO endorsement of the STP should allow the Department of Health to immediately finalise STP funding arrangements for training positions beyond 2015, which is a matter of urgency.”

The ANAO review is at: http://www.anao.gov.au/~/media/Files/Audit%20Reports/2014%202015/Report%2026/AuditReport_2014-2015_26.PDF