Budget Bravely Battles Medical Workforce Training And Education Issues

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 15 May 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) is pleased that a significant proportion of the limited health funding and new initiatives announced in yesterday's Federal Budget have been directed towards medical training places in an effort to save Australia's struggling healthcare system.

AMSA President Tiffany Fulde said, "This budget aims to increase training places, particularly in areas of need and to improve educational infrastructure and facilities. AMSA has been very vocal on the need to invest in medical education, and is pleased that the Government is making steps in this direction.

Nevertheless, continued funding will be required into the future to ensure Australia can provide the training and quality education for the increasing number of medical students."

Most significantly, $500 million will be used to address the increase of pre‐vocational training places in response to increasing health‐related, and in particular, medical undergraduate student numbers in recent years.

The shortages in General Practice have been addressed with a $148 million investment to increase the number of training places by 35% over the next five years. Increased training places in other areas of workforce deficit such as pathology and diagnostic imaging are also provided.

Training places aren't the only area of increase, with the allocation of $175.6 million towards infrastructure and the construction of simulated learning facilities which will result in improved learning and educational opportunities.

AMSA is pleased that the Government has responded to AMSA's call to streamline resource utilisation with the introduction of a National Health Workforce Agency. This Agency will coordinate and organise the expanding workforce and will assist in ensuring the success of these initiatives.

AMSA also welcomes initiatives to address the shortage of medical professionals in rural and indigenous areas. The allocation of $32.2 million towards the establishment of the first medical school in the Northern Territory is a novel initiative that will work towards increasing the number of indigenous doctors. AMSA supports efforts to close the gap in indigenous health, however, urges caution to ensure that all students receive adequate resources and training especially in the context of the recent rapid increase in medical students, and the drain this has put on the health sector.

Additionally, AMSA supports the adjustment of the HECS Reimbursement Scheme to give young doctors more credit towards their HECS bill according to the remoteness of the location, which will help entice doctors to areas of need. AMSA hopes this incentive will be available to all students wishing to serve remote communities.

AMSA commends the Government's attempts to address the issues facing medical students and the future health workforce.

Tiffany Fulde said, "This budget is only the beginning in terms of the funding and changes required to ensure sustainable, quality healthcare for all Australians. Despite the recession, we must continue to improve medical training and education for an increasing number of medical students."

Source
Australian Medical Students' Association