This week brings in new Federal Budget initiative opening up new doctor pathway to the regions. It is a transformational package to strengthen health service delivery and training across Australia.
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The government will invest $550 million in the Stronger Rural Health Strategy to deliver about 3000 more doctors in regional and rural Australia, more than 3000 additional nurses in rural general practice, and hundreds of additional allied health professionals in the regions over 10 years. This is something I have been working on, particularly when I was the minister responsible, which can be implemented from this week.
It means better qualified GPs, nurses and allied health professionals will have opportunities, through training and other incentives, to live and practice in towns like ours, instead of remaining in cities.
Evidence shows the length of time spent in the teaching and training of doctors in rural and regional areas is related to the likelihood of them adopting a long term career in these locations.
Simplified arrangements for bonded medical students will ensure it is much easier to do their rural return of service obligations. Expanded and new junior doctor programs mean young doctors, after graduation, can stay working in the regions in supported positions and have access to Medicare provider numbers when working in supervised general practice locations.
The Coalition is also providing additional support, including new funding for allied health, pharmacist and nursing positions in rural general practice, continued rural support funding to retain GPs and better targeting of rural bulk billing incentives.
