Tasmania's nation-leading Single Employer Model (SEM) pilot program is continuing to support rural and regional primary health services across the State by making it easier to recruit doctors training in rural medicine.
From today, Tasmanian general practices can apply for funding under a new $3 million Single Employer Model Capital Infrastructure grant round aimed at supporting private general practice in rural and regional areas to increase its GP training capacity.
Grant funding is available for practices looking to boost their GP training capacity by enhancing existing infrastructure. Applicants can apply for grants in four main categories – consulting space, accommodation, IT infrastructure and training equipment.
Grant round applications are open for the next four weeks, closing on 26 August 2024.
The $12.97 million SEM program is a partnership between the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, supported by a $7.97 million contribution by the Albanese Government and a $5 million contribution by the Rockliff Government.
The program aims to make a career in rural general practice a more attractive option.
At the start of this year there were 16 Single Employer Model GPs employed through the program in rural and regional communities the State.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said the new grant round was about continuing to build Tasmania's rural primary care workforce.
"Under our nation-leading Single Employer Model pilot program, doctors training to specialise in rural medicine have the choice of being employed by the Tasmanian Health Service – significantly addressing key challenges in recruitment and retention," Minister Barnett said.
"But at present we know some general practices still face barriers to participating in the program, including barriers relating to physical infrastructure such as a lack of consultation space, local accommodation or equipment to support training.
"This Single Employer Model Capital Infrastructure grant round will provide the opportunity for general practices to address these barriers and support them to attract and train more GP trainees.
"It is just one of our nation-leading initiatives to support GPs across the State, with our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future including the GP NOW Rapid Response Team, our $100,000 GP incentive package for 40 new GPs, and multi-year funding of up to $250,000 per year to support the ongoing viability of outer-urban, regional and rural Tasmanian GP practices."
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said "we want to attract more doctors to rural and regional Tasmania and this innovative approach will help to retain the doctors we need to continue to provide essential primary healthcare services to Tasmanians.
"We look forward to working collaboratively with the Rockliff Government to make training and working in rural general practice a more attractive option for young doctors. Importantly, it will make it easier for people in Tasmania to see a doctor close to home.
"The Albanese Government continues to support new models of care, and remove unnecessary barriers, to strengthen Australia's primary care services now and in the future."
