81 Extra GPs for WA as Part of National Health Reform

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16 March 2011

Eighty-one new GPs will begin training in Western Australia this year as the Gillard Government continues to deliver national health reform benefits, helping more West Australians to see a doctor closer to home.

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today announced the new GP training places for Western Australia. Eighty-one new GP registrars is a 72 per cent increase since 2007, when Tony Abbott was Health Minister.

“For too long, WA has faced severe GP shortages because of Mr Abbott’s cap on GP training places,” Minister Roxon said.

“We have lifted Mr Abbott’s cap that was hurting WA, and now 81 new GPs will start training across the state.

“There will be more GPs in WA, helping to make it easier for Australians to see a doctor when they need one, closer to home.

“This GP training boost comes on the back of 74 new specialist doctors training in WA this year, thanks to a $356 million investment in specialist training by the Gillard Government.”

Minister Roxon also announced that a further 84 junior doctors will complete 12-week placements in GP practices in WA through the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program.

“The placement of 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.

“Our investments in the WA medical workforce will help to create a sustainable health system that will deliver for our kids and grandkids.”
The Gillard Government will double the number of GP training places across the country so that by 2014 there will be 1200 GP training places, up from 600 in 2007.

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

Minister Roxon made today’s announcement in the federal electorate of Perth at the Walter Road East General Practice in Bayswater and was joined by local GP Dr Rohan Gay and Dr Janice Bell, CEO of Western Australian General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET).

Local member for Perth and Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, welcomed the news that new GPs will soon be training in Western Australia.


“With a 72 per cent increase in GP training places for WA, the Gillard Government’s record on delivering new GPs couldn’t be clearer,” Minister Smith said.

Dr Gay and Dr Bell both said that general practices all over WA are calling for new GPs.

“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in improving access to quality general practice for all West Australians” Dr Gay said.

“WAGPET is incredibly pleased that the Gillard Government has shown the vision and commitment needed to put primary health care front and centre in any health care system and backed that not only with infrastructure and funding but also with the training positions to provide health that is affordable and equitable”, Dr Bell said.

“These new GPs in training can only help to provide better health care services for West Australians,” she said.



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