The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening healthcare in the Northern Territory, delivering across the board - from education and training to aged and primary care.
The first cohort of students will commence at Charles Darwin University medical school in February, delivering a major boost to medical training and the doctor pipeline in the Northern Territory.
The Government is investing $24.6 million to deliver the medical school, which will mark a step change for medical training in the Northern Territory.
From this first intake, the school will support 40 commencing students per year. By 2030, Charles Darwin University will have 200 domestic medical students at any one time.
This will more than double the number of permanent medical students in the Northern Territory.
The new places will help train and retain more doctors to provide healthcare in the Top End to meet the needs of the growing community.
The Albanese Labor Government is also strengthening the aged care sector in the Northern Territory, with a preferred provider nominated to build and operate a new aged care facility in Palmerston, with at least 120 beds, on a parcel of land provided by the Territory Government.
The Government has identified Ozcare as the preferred provider. Ozcare currently operates 19 residential aged care homes in Queensland, and has a strong track record of building large facilities.
This builds on the Government's record healthcare delivery for the Northern Territory, which is already seeing results.
The Northern Territory has just ticked over 100,000 visits to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics - established by the Albanese Labor Government.
We've already delivered eight of these clinics, with another one in Darwin on the way.
Delivering a new aged care facility and Urgent Care Clinics will help take pressure off the hospital system.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"Only Labor is committed to strengthening Medicare, to make sure every Territorian can get the healthcare they need, when they need it.
"Whether its Urgent Care Clinics, cheaper medicines, more hospital funding or more doctors, my Government is delivering better healthcare for the Territory."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator for the Northern Territory, Malarndirri McCarthy
"The Albanese Government is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Territorians.
"Alongside our investment in a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and aged care facility for Greater Darwin, our government is also investing in the education and training of our future doctors to help care for Territorians."
Quotes attributable to Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM
"Training more doctors here in the Territory is one of the most practical things we can do to address workforce shortages and make sure Territorians can see a GP when they need one.
"A CDU medical school means more local students, more local training, and more doctors choosing to stay and build their careers in the Top End - exactly what our health system needs.
"This builds on what we're already delivering, including the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Palmerston, with a Darwin clinic on the way, and a new at least 120 bed aged care facility in Greater Darwin that will provide dignity for seniors and free up hospital beds for those who need residential acute care."
Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour
"Delivering healthcare across the Northern Territory can be challenging.
"An important part of overcoming these challenges is a home-grown Territory healthcare workforce that understands the context of NT healthcare.
"We know there is more to be done but I welcome our Government's continued investment in the health of Territorians."
