The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has applauded the Federal Government for delivering on its commitment to fund 100 extra Commonwealth-supported places (CSPs) for medical students at 10 universities with a strong commitment to general practice.
The announcement represents the first 100 of what will eventually become 150 additional CSPs, with the final 50 to be determined in the new year.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the College had been working with the Government to determine how the places would be filled by the universities.
"Today's announcement of 100 extra medical places for general practice-focused universities shows the Government, Education Minister Jason Clare, and Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler are investing in training Australia's next generation of GPs," Dr Wright said.
"It is gratifying to see the work we have undertaken with the Government in identifying which universities will deliver on a commitment to promote medical graduates moving into general practice, has come to fruition.
"The Government has made a commitment, as have these 10 universities. The end result is that more medical graduates will move into general practice and serve their communities."
The Federal Government has also committed greater funding to the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program to ensure that 2000 new specialist GPs are trained by 2028. For the second consecutive year applications for the program are oversubscribed, demonstrating the demand from medical graduates for a career in general practice.
"We've worked with the Federal Government and health department to fill all available GP training places, for the second year in a row," Dr Wright said.
"It's an achievement that reflects a government focused on training Australia's next generation of specialist GPs.
"Ensuring medical students see how rewarding it is to practise as a specialist GP throughout their studies is essential."
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