68 GP Training Places for South Australia

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PDF printable version of 68 GP Training Places for South Australia (PDF 30 KB)

9 March 2011

Sixty-eight new GPs will begin training in South Australia this year as the Gillard Government continues to deliver national health reform benefits, helping South Australians to see and contact a doctor when they need to.

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today announced the new GP training places for South Australia, which represent a 55 per cent increase in training places from when Tony Abbott finished his time as Health Minister in 2007.

“When we came to Government, it was very clear that Mr Abbott had been blind to Australia’s nationwide shortage of GPs,” Minister Roxon said.

“The Gillard Government is now working to double the number of GP training places across the country. The good news is more doctors are already being trained here in South Australia.

“The 68 new GPs for SA, which is a 55 per cent increase from 2007, will help to make it easier for South Australians to see and contact a doctor when they need to.

“By 2020 the Gillard Government’s workforce training programs, a key component of national health reform, will result in an extra 5,500 GPs and an extra 680 specialist doctors nationwide.”

The 68 places announced today for new GP registrars in SA are part of the Gillard Government’s Australian General Practice Training program that, by 2014, will support 1200 annual places nationwide, up from 600 in 2008.

Minister Roxon also announced that 103 junior doctors will complete 12-week placements in GP practices in South Australia through the Government’s Prevocational General Practice Placements Program.

“The placement for junior doctors in GP clinics is a great way for the next generation of GPs to get a taste of general practice so they can decide if a career as a GP is right for them,” Minister Roxon said.

“This is all part of our determination to bring a greater focus on primary care – the frontline where doctors and nurses can help patients keep well and out of hospital.”

Minister Roxon made the two announcements at the Salisbury Heights Surgery, where GP Dr Stephen Ghan practices. Dr Ghan is also a Royal Australian College of General Practice accredited supervisor and supervised a number of GP registrars at the clinic.

“The Australian General Practice Training program is at the heart of GP training. The increased funding to GP training is very noticeable here on the ground and it’s great to be a part of training the future GP workforce for South Australia,” Dr Ghan said.

Joining Minister Roxon at the announcement were local members Nick Champion MP and Tony Zappia MP, both of whom welcomed the news that new GPs will soon be training in their electorates.

“With a 55% increase in GP training places for SA, the Gillard Government’s record on delivering new GPs couldn’t be clearer,” Mr Champion said.

“These new GPs are just another example of how Labor is delivering on its promises and making a real difference on the ground,” Mr Zappia said.

Joining the 68 students will be another 7 students from other states who will be completing their GP training year in South Australia.



For more information, contact Ms Roxon’s Office: (02) 6277 7220