RACGP signs ‘milestone’ contract to deliver GP training

The transition to profession-led training is one step closer, with the RACGP having recently signed a contract with the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) from February next year.
 
The confirmation marks the latest development in the long journey back to profession-led training, which was announced in October 2017 by then Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.
 
RACGP President Adjunct Professor Karen Price has welcomed the news, saying general practice – and its future – has never been more important.
 
‘This is a key milestone in the transition to profession-led training, and the transition toward an even stronger future for GP education and training in Australia,’ she said.
 
‘We have signed the single largest medical vocational contract entered into in history by an Australian Government, which signals successive governments’ trust in the college’s capability to deliver high quality GP training for our community.
 
‘Just as general practice is integral to our health system, GP training is fundamentally important to provide our next generation of GPs, who will care for our communities into the future.’
 
The RACGP President said the new training program will be nationally managed and supported, but locally delivered.
 
‘We are well-aware that existing local teams are crucial to the success of GP training, including our local regional training organisation [RTO] colleagues, local supervisors, administrators and of course registrars – and they will remain so under our leadership,’ Professor Price said.
 
‘The college recognises the privilege and responsibility entrusted in us and we are committed to delivering a program that equips all stakeholders, including our GP supervisors, registrars, administrators and medical educators to provide world-class training.’
 
Meanwhile, RACGP CEO Paul Wappett has encouraged RTO staff to consider employment with the college, pointing out that, in many instances, those who do join will continue the same work, with the same stakeholders.
 
‘We are working to make this a seamless transition, with as little disruption to the delivery of GP training as possible,’ he said.
 
‘Although this is one of the most complex mergers that will happen in Australia this year, given that we are merging nine organisations into one, I am proud to see the progress we have all made, and I look forward to continuing to work together to deliver world-class GP training, and to secure the future of primary care in Australia.
 
‘Because everyone in Australia deserves access to world-class general practice care, no matter their postcode.’
 
The Transition to College-Led Training Advisory Committee meeting that confirmed the grant agreements funding the AGPT program, also provided more insight into the role of James Cook University (JCU) under a profession-led model.
 
‘[JCU] will be contracted by both GP colleges to deliver their college-led training programs in North Queensland,’ a committee communique stated.
 
‘The partnership will be further articulated in college communications to the sector.’
 
The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place on 11 October.
 
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AGPT profession-led training