Federal and state governments work together on health workforce issues
The Australian and State Governments have agreed to work more closely to identify and address potential health workforce shortages in the health profession.
View by date:
Previous Ministers21 July 2004
ABB119/04
Federal and state governments work together on health workforce issues
The Commonwealth and State Governments have agreed to work more closely to identify and address potential health workforce shortages in the health profession.Health Minister Tony Abbott and Education Minister Brendan Nelson today met state health ministers, David Llewellyn, Bronwyn Pike and Morris Iemma to discus training and workforce needs for health professionals.
The ministers discussed the importance of federal and state health and education officials working together to address current and future workforce shortages.
The ministers agreed that the Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee and the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee should meet regularly with senior officials from the federal and state health and education departments and officials from the Australian Vice Chancellors Committee.
The meeting canvassed a range of specific issues including:
- How governments could help facilitate clinical placements for students
- How to work with universities to ensure the number of places allocated for particular professions will meet future workforce needs
- Education needs for allied health professions
Tony Abbott and Brendan Nelson said the meeting was productive and they would continue to consult with the states, the health profession and universities on workforce issues.
"I look forward to discussing these issues and the content of today's meeting with all of my state counterparts at next week's Australian Health Ministers Council," Tony Abbott said.
For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220.