Increasing numbers of doctors are training to become GPs in regional, rural and remote areas, which will deliver significant benefits to patients and communities in the bush.
The NSW Nationals in the Australian Government’s 2021 Australian General Practice Training program selection process has seen the largest number of acceptances – 1434 doctors – in several years.
Almost 700 of these doctors will undertake their training in regional, rural and remote locations across the country.
Nationals minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton says “The evidence does tell us that if you train in the regions you are likely to stay in the regions and that’s why we are focused on supporting the rural training pipeline.”
“Rural and remote communities want safe and high-quality primary healthcare services delivered by well- trained GPs with training in an extended rural skill set.
“Through work which is underway on long-term workforce and training reforms we want to look at opportunities to provide greater supervision and support for doctors and practical ways to build a sustainable and highly trained medical workforce,” Mr Coulton said.
Most successful applicants in this latest intake have already started training, with the rest to start in the next three months.
