Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, has welcomed 40 new specialist general practitioners who have been admitted as fellows of the Royal Australian College of GPs.
Minister Barnett, presented an award at the fellowship ceremony at the University of Tasmania in Hobart today.
"These dedicated professionals have spent at least 11 years in their degrees, including university and primary care placements, and I congratulate them on this achievement," Minister Barnett said.
"We understand the importance of specialist GPs, acknowledging our older and more vulnerable population.
"Importantly, these specialists will complement our initiatives to increase access to primary care throughout the State, which is a key part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future.
"This includes our $100,000 incentive to attract 40 new GPs to work in our rural and regional areas for five years, our GP NOW Rapid Response Unit of 10 GPs, and our $250,000 grant program for GP practices across the State.
"I congratulate Dr Diane Hintum of Summerdale Medical Centre, who was awarded Tasmanian General Practice Supervisor of the Year, the Beaconsfield Family Medical Practice, ably led by Dr Prashanth Reddy Gangapuram, which won Tasmanian General Practice of the Year, Ulverstone GP Dr Emil Djakic, awarded Tasmanian General Practitioner of the Year, and Tasmania's General Practitioner in Training of the Year, Dr James Tan.
"I wish the new fellows all the best in delivering the healthcare that Tasmanians need and deserve."
