|
|
|
 |
| Junior doctor program back on track |
26-May-2009 |
|
|
|
By Paul Smith
Published in
Australian Doctor
3 October 2008
THE Federal Government has
backtracked on a pledge to axe
almost $30 million from a program designed to encourage
junior doctors into general practice.
The four-year funding package
for the Prevocational General
Practice Placements Program
(PGPPP) was slashed in May as
part of $170 million in cuts to
general practice funding.
It meant that total places on
the PGPPP, which allows junior
doctors to work in general practice before they choose their specialty, fell from about 280 to
just 190.
The move sparked a backlash
from the profession. Federal
Health Minister Ms Nicola
Roxon subsequently announced
a reversal of the funding cuts,
and an injection of extra funds,
to increase the number of places
on the scheme to 360.
At the time of the budget cut
there were rumours that the
decision had been driven by
Treasury, despite opposition
from Ms Roxon’s own department.
Groups including the RACGP
and the AMA warned that
reducing junior doctors’ exposure to general practice would
undermine attempts to tackle the
growing GP workforce crisis.
Currently less than 30% of Australian-trained medical graduates opt for general practice
training.
Ms Roxon said: “The Rudd
Government encourages newly
graduating doctors to pursue
general practice as a career
because we know that is where
the community needs them.”
Junior doctors’ interest in the
PGPPP was low when it was
first rolled out, which resulted
in a program underspend.
This lack of interest was
partly fuelled by the reluctance
of the NSW State Government
to cover interns for indemnity
and workers’ compensation
while working outside the state’s
hospital system.
|
|
|
| | Related Articles - Medical Education / training | |
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Submit your feedback here: