RACGP pushes workforce solutions at national roundtable

From GPs, to oncologists, exercise physicians, plastic surgeons, gastroenterologists, and psychiatrists – experts in almost every medical field are combining their specialties, all in the name of improved healthcare.
 
Hailing from more than 50 medical colleges, associations, and societies from across the nation, the bodies met in Canberra on Monday to discuss the health system’s dire need for reform.
 
The roundtable was designed as a way for experts and leaders within their professions to share their differing views and insights on what needs to change, with a goal of guiding future policy and improving access for patients.
 
Its specific agenda items included the current pressures on public hospitals and reforms to the private health sector.
 
Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler spoke at the event and acknowledged the workforce shortages impacting Australian healthcare.
 
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, who also attended the roundtable, said it was another opportunity for the college to call for funding to strengthen the GP workforce.
 
‘Having enough GPs training and working in every community is vital for peoples’ health and wellbeing, as well as for the government’s health reforms to succeed,’ she said.
 
‘Being a GP is one of the most rewarding jobs. But the workforce has been stifled by decades of underfunding. 
 
‘We need action now to attract and retain this essential workforce, to secure the health of our communities.’

Doubling down on calls for greater Commonwealth investment, the RACGP said more needs to be spent on bolstering GP numbers and fixing maldistribution, as many rural and regional towns do not currently have adequate healthcare access.
 
It also reiterated calls for paid parental and study leave for GPs in training, funding for 500 participants in the Fellowship Support Program and 600 in the PEP – Specialist Program, as well as subsidised training for international and local doctors who train to become specialist GPs in regional Australia.
 
Dr Higgins said these changes would have an immediate impact on the GP workforce of today, as well as into the future.
 
‘Together, these measures will boost our homegrown GP workforce, and attract more highly trained overseas doctors to Australia to meet our growing health needs,’ she said.
 
‘Everyone needs general practice care, and having enough GPs in every community is essential for the health of our nation.’
 
Australian Medical Association President Professor Steve Robson said the meeting was a chance for the nation’s medical leaders to discuss a healthcare system Australia ‘now under extraordinary pressure’.
 
‘Today’s meeting provides an opportunity for college and association leaders to get together and discuss in detail the issues facing our health system, including in our public hospitals, the private health sector and with our workforce,’ he said.
 
‘We know that our public hospitals are in logjam, with patients waiting sometimes years just to see a specialist and get on a waiting list for elective surgery; let alone the wait for surgery.’
 
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