AMSA Applauds Changes To Bonded Medical Places Scheme, Australia

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 27 Aug 2007 - 19:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association has applauded the Federal Government for making positive changes to the Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme.

AMSA National President Mr. Rob Mitchell said, "AMSA has maintained an open dialogue with the Department for some time, advocating for increased flexibility and support to be built into the program.

The BMP Scheme, introduced in 2004, bonds 25% of all medical students studying in Australia to work in areas of defined workforce need once they have completed the majority of their medical training.

The new changes serve to increase flexibility and pastoral support for students contracted into the scheme. The return of service students must complete is now commensurate with the length of their medical degree, and there is an opportunity to fulfil a component of their return of service as a Junior Doctor. A support program for BMP students, which will provide them with networking and academic opportunities, has also been launched.

AMSA has now written to the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing the Hon. Tony Abbott MP to congratulate his office on the improvements to the Scheme.

"AMSA will continue to communicate with the Department of Health and Ageing and provide a voice for our members, one-quarter of whom are part of the BMP Scheme.

"We are committed to pushing for viable, practical, incentive-driven programs designed to promote the benefits of rural practice. Students must not be exploited in the effort to solve the workforce maldistribution crisis, and AMSA will continue to advocate to this end.

"These changes will make the BMP scheme more palatable for students. This in turn will increase the likelihood of the scheme achieving its goal: to recruit and retain doctors in areas of workforce need."

http://www.amsa.org.au

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