Government Has Been Listening on Medical Workforce
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said that today's announcement by the Government to introduce more GP training places is proof that the Health Minister has been listening to the medical profession about solutions to medical workforce shortages.
Dr Capolingua said the AMA welcomes the Government's acknowledgement of the crucial and central role played by general practice in the health system.
The Government has promised to increase the available number of first year GP training places from 600 a year to 900 a year by 2011, and increase the available number of pre-vocational GP training places from 280 a year to 510 a year - at a combined cost of $108 million over four years.
There would also be an increase in the available number of specialist training positions in the private sector from 150 a year to 300 a year - at a cost of $37 million over four years.
"This commitment recognises the Government's responsibility to provide increased training places for our increased number of medical graduates.
"Training places for GP registrars and specialists in the private sector must be supported by the Federal Government so we can continue to produce high quality Australian doctors for Australians.
"We also need to address attracting doctors into the GP training program, and support for medical student exposure to general practice is required.
"The AMA has called for $100 million over four years to support the training of medical students in general practice.
"Having recognised the need in general practice, and in providing specialist training in the private sector, the AMA is in addition looking for Government commitment to investing in training in the public sector for the increased number of medical graduates."